Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: bubba on November 18, 2014, 02:54:24 PM
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What are the limitations of the Mach4 demo?
Is it functional enough to get a machine setup? Will it create motion?
Thanks,
Joe
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Each time that you launch Mach4 in demo mode (without a license), it will
run for a limited time with all functions available. When the demo time limit
is reached, Mach4 will just stop providing motion output. The idea is to
allow potential customers to fully evaluate the system, but prevent
unscrupulous vendors from supplying a demo copy of Mach4 masquerading
as a licensed system when they try to sell you hardware.
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Thanks that is exactly what I needed to know
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Mach4 by itself can not move a machine without a motion controller.
The only one you can really try without purchasing would be the parallel port plugin. I'm not sure what it's limitations are when not licensed.
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Thank ger21
I have a Gali PCI controller and Steve/Smurph is not sure if it will work or not.
i will try it with the demo version to confirm yes or no.
I just did not want to buy mach4 unless t will work or after I buy a new control.
Thanks for watching out for me though.
Joe
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Do you have a Mach4 plugin for it?
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No I have not downloaded anything yet. You can see the response from Steve in the Galil plugin forum.
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Each time that you launch Mach4 in demo mode (without a license), it will
run for a limited time with all functions available. When the demo time limit
is reached, Mach4 will just stop providing motion output. The idea is to
allow potential customers to fully evaluate the system, but prevent
unscrupulous vendors from supplying a demo copy of Mach4 masquerading
as a licensed system when they try to sell you hardware.
[/quote]
The problem is that it times out so fast that there is no way to tell if it works . After hours and hours trying to get it set up I'm starting to look for some thing else because I can't run the program through one part with only 3 operations in it.
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Hi,
before I bought a licence I found that Mach4 would run for just over six minutes before stopping as result of time limit.
Easily enuf time for me to decide that 'yes Mach4 can mill or at least start to mill that particular part'.
I did buy a licence and Mach4 has proved to be suitable in every respect. The new modular style and LUA coding take some
getting used to but I've realised that Mach4s flexibility FAR FAR exceeds Mach3. While I can understand not wanting to have to buy
another controller if say the Galill is not Mach4 ready... to take advantage of Mach4 do it anyway!
Craig
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Hi,
before I bought a licence I found that Mach4 would run for just over six minutes before stopping as result of time limit.
Easily enuf time for me to decide that 'yes Mach4 can mill or at least start to mill that particular part'.
I did buy a licence and Mach4 has proved to be suitable in every respect. The new modular style and LUA coding take some
getting used to but I've realised that Mach4s flexibility FAR FAR exceeds Mach3. While I can understand not wanting to have to buy
another controller if say the Galill is not Mach4 ready... to take advantage of Mach4 do it anyway!
Craig
That's great if you want to do programming I just want to make parts My customers wouldn't pay me for a have way finished product and I wouldn't expect them to.
Steve
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Hi,
Mach4 as it stands is ready for use for three axis milling and/or routing. I have not the plant required to test four or five axis stuff
but certainly all the required DROs and control channels exist.
G31 probing is a controller/plugin function. I use Warp9s ESS and G31 works fine and in the last week or two can now handle G31.1 G31.2...etc.
To my knowledge all of the modestly priced controller/plugins are G31 capable.
THC is also a controller/plugin function. It is not yet implemented by ESS. To my knowledge the Vital Systems controller is the only Mach4 ready
controller to have implemented THC.
I have heard but cannot confirm that some of the lathe canned cycles are still a bit ragged, probably not up to production use.
Depending on what machine you want to control I would argue Mach4 is production capable as is.
Craig
-
,
Mach4 as it stands is ready for use for three axis milling and/or routing. I have not the plant required to test four or five axis stuff
but certainly all the required DROs and control channels exist.
G31 probing is a controller/plugin function. I use Warp9s ESS and G31 works fine and in the last week or two can now handle G31.1 G31.2...etc.
To my knowledge all of the modestly priced controller/plugins are G31 capable.
THC is also a controller/plugin function. It is not yet implemented by ESS. To my knowledge the Vital Systems controller is the only Mach4 ready
controller to have implemented THC.
I have heard but cannot confirm that some of the lathe canned cycles are still a bit ragged, probably not up to production use.
Depending on what machine you want to control I would argue Mach4 is production capable as is.
Craig
My biggest problem right now is getting the M6 command to function. I'm using a older full sized Imported mill that is was originally sold as a CNC machine but has been upgraded to CNC4PC boards. It just blows past M6 like it wasn't there. My original point was only that is harder to work on the software when it keeps timing out every few minutes. I'm not a programmer and I don't have the time learn to be one. The only solutions I've seen involve getting into the code and re-writing it which is way over my head. I'm not trying to put the software down. I think the documentation could be better from a non- programmers point of view. I just get frustrated having to fight with computers wen I have parts that need to get made.
Steve
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Hi,
I understand your point and there are some very good products out there...Fanuc, Seimens...if you're prepared to pay.
Craig
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Steve
Is the m6 macro in the macro's folder in the profiles folder
If it is then look at the gcode I have found that some post processors format the m6 in a strange way
I have
t1 m6 on one line
And
G43 h1 on its own line
M4 can have a history fit if the g43 is mixed in with a move command
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Mach4 by itself can not move a machine without a motion controller.
The only one you can really try without purchasing would be the parallel port plugin. I'm not sure what it's limitations are when not licensed.
Actually... the motion controller by itself can not move a machine without a motor driver... motor... electricity ..