Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach3 under Vista => Topic started by: jeremy.brown.0400 on October 26, 2013, 11:20:26 PM

Title: Running Mach3 through usb port rather than paralell printer port
Post by: jeremy.brown.0400 on October 26, 2013, 11:20:26 PM

Hello,
         Im trying to run Mach3 on my MacBook Air with windows 7. As the MacBook Air only has usb outputs Ive had to get another cable to suit. Im having trouble finding the port address and also running the configuration program supplied by ocean controls. I  would really appreciate any help.

Regards,
Jeremy.

Title: Re: Running Mach3 through usb port rather than paralell printer port
Post by: ger21 on October 27, 2013, 07:44:57 AM

If the configuration program you're referring to is "Mach3mill.xml", then it's not a program. The .xml file is just a file with the proper settings in it, that gets copied into the Mach3 folder. Mach3mill is the default profile name in Mach3. If you've created a profile with a different name, then you'll need to rename the file to match your profile.

But a much larger issue is that I don't believe what you have will work. Looking at the Ocean Controls website, it looks like you may have purchased a parallel port breakout board? If so, it won't work on your Macbook. I'm assuming you're using a USB > Parallel port adapter? You can't run Mach3 with those, you need a real parallel port. You can't add one to a laptop.

You're only option would be a USB or ethernet motion controller like a Smoothstepper or UC100.

Title: Re: Running Mach3 through usb port rather than paralell printer port
Post by: Capt Meatballs on December 09, 2013, 06:12:11 PM

I use a UC100 USB to parallel interface with my Mac running Windows 7 on Boot Camp, check it out at http://www.cncdrive.com/UC100.html

I haven't had any issues whatsoever so far with it, it pretty much worked right out of the box after installing the driver.

Good luck to you, Marco.