Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: kevin r on April 12, 2019, 01:19:34 AM
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1. What does Pod stand for?
2. How do you configure Mach3 using a BOB connected via USB cable?
3. Vacuum table hose....where is the best place to source this? (Canada/USA)
4. Upgrading Mach3...what is the latest version, and where is it to be found?
Answers anxiously awaited....
Thanks in advance to any and all that respond.
Kevin
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1. What does Pod stand for?
2. How do you configure Mach3 using a BOB connected via USB cable?
3. Vacuum table hose....where is the best place to source this? (Canada/USA)
4. Upgrading Mach3...what is the latest version, and where is it to be found?
Answers anxiously awaited....
Thanks in advance to any and all that respond.
Kevin
1. POD?
I think the Maker of the XHC MKX-V "USB motion Controller" nicknamed it "ncusbpod" probably because it looks like and is about the same size as the Apple IPOD. Can't call it a board or a card...
2. You need to copy the plugin "ncusbpod.dll" into c:\mach3\plugins after you have installed MACH3.
3.
4. Download latest [MACH3 R3.043] from
https://www.machsupport.com/downloads-updates/main-programs/
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Thanks Reuelt.
I've done that and see that it yields a version number 3.043.062. I've been led to believe that there is a version number 3.043.066. Is this accurate? Am I missing something?
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Further: I've seen several .dll files with POD in the name, not just XHC.......?
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You need the correct plugin (.dll file) for your board.
The ncpod name was copied by the Chinese from the original NCPod. http://www.oemtech.com/ncpod/
There are many variations of Chinese boards that use plugins with the same or similar names.
As for the latest version.
The 3.043.062 version on the website is a special patched version for Windows 10. It's the only version that works in the latest versions of Windows 10.
There is a 3.043.066 version on the FTP site. Link at the bottom of this page.
https://www.machsupport.com/downloads-updates/main-programs/
There's even a 3.043.067 version here:
https://www.candcnc.net/downloads/
Note that every Mach3 version has bugs, and these different versions have different bugs, and different bug fixes.
Version .062 has bugs. Bugs fixed in Version .066 added new bugs.
So you may need to do some testing to find the version that works best for you.
A lot of the Chinese boards ship with old, pirated 3.042 versions. So an older version may work better with some Chinese boards.
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Thanks Reuelt.
I've done that and see that it yields a version number 3.043.062. I've been led to believe that there is a version number 3.043.062. Is this accurate? Am I missing something?
Version 3.043.062 is used by more users as it works with most plug-ins. I downgraded from 3.043.066 too.
Also it is the only version PATCHED to run on Windows 10 1803 and above. Ver 3.043.066 and all other versions will crash on Windows 10 1803 and above.
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Gerry: "You need the correct plugin (.dll file) for your board."
He identified his board as XHC MKX-V in another thread "Newbie Question about Mach 3 to 4" few days ago. So "ncusbpod.dll" IS the correct plug-in. I had downloaded the document and the driver for that card before I posted.
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Thanks, again, for your input, gents. Much appreciated.
The supplier of my system "provided" me with what they claimed was a legitimate copy of Mach3. When I unzipped their file, my anti-virus went off like my dog when she sees the mailman. It had the ******************66 build version, and so I figured it must be pirated. But, while it may be pirated, based on what Craig was saying, it may be that they have "tailored" their build to their board. I don't REALLY want to try it, but perhaps..........we'll see what tomorrow brings.
How does one determine legal copy, or not, besides looking for the license code?
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Thanks, again, for your input, gents. Much appreciated.
The supplier of my system "provided" me with what they claimed was a legitimate copy of Mach3. When I unzipped their file, my anti-virus went off like my dog when she sees the mailman. It had the ******************66 build version, and so I figured it must be pirated. But, while it may be pirated, based on what Craig was saying, it may be that they have "tailored" their build to their board. I don't REALLY want to try it, but perhaps..........we'll see what tomorrow brings.
How does one determine legal copy, or not, besides looking for the license code?
Try it, copy out the MACH3mill.xml profile.
There are 3 versions:-
1. OEM versions (some light versions that usually will not support addons and plugins) bundled by machine hardware sellers. May allow gcodes with more than 500 lines.
2. DEMO version - gcodes limited to 500 lines. Kernel speed limited to 25.000Hz for parallel ports.
3. Full Version
Just like you buy a CD drive and you get an OEM version to do basic functions.
YOU have to upgrade to full licensed software if you want to enjoy full capabilities.
It is NOT right to consider OEM (light) versions as pirated copies - provided the OEM had paid NFS for the right to bundle those OEM copies with their machines.
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Try it, copy out the MACH3mill.xml profile.
There are 3 versions:-
1. OEM versions (some light versions that usually will not support addons and plugins) bundled by machine hardware sellers. May allow gcodes with more than 500 lines.
2. DEMO version - gcodes limited to 500 lines. Kernel speed limited to 25.000Hz for parallel ports.
3. Full Version
Just like you buy a CD drive and you get an OEM version to do basic functions.
YOU have to upgrade to full licensed software if you want to enjoy full capabilities.
It is NOT right to consider OEM (light) versions as pirated copies - provided the OEM had paid NFS for the right to bundle those OEM copies with their machines.
[/quote]
In this case, the OEM hasn't purchased that right, and the RAR file they supply sends my Anitvirus software into overdrive.
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This statement is from ChinaCNCZone:
"Mach4 Lite – A basic solution with limited support for OEM's who manufacture small CNC machinery for the consumer market."
I know some antivirus would delete LEGAL PlasmaCAM/Design Edge software that customers paid thousands of dollars too. I told them to get rid of those antivirus.
EDIT; Inappropriate comments removed.
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In 2012, Resellers were selling bundles of hardware and "Mach4 Lite". Not sure what anyone actually received if they bought these bundles, as Mach4 was far from ready at the time. And it seems like the Lite version disappeared.
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https://www.china-cncrouter.com/news/What-Are-the-Differences-between-Mach3-and-Mach4-Software.html
DATED 2016-11-30
"And Mach4 is our newest version of CNC motion control software. It has three version such as Mach4 Lite, Mach4 Hobby,and Mach4 Industrial . Now the mini CNC compatible with mach4 such as CNC 6040 and CNC 6090 models are in testing. "
"Windows XP lite" is still legally authorised by Microsoft for sales in China
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Windows XP Starter Edition is a lower-cost version of Windows XP available in Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Russia, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Uruguay, Malaysia, and Venezuela.
They are NOT illegal just as MACH4-LITE in certain countries.