Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: Ottomatic on July 14, 2020, 11:12:27 PM
-
Can anyone tell me if it is possible to switch a Mach4 licence to Mach3? I have had endless hassles trying to get my controller (horrible CSMIO/P-M with no support from the manufacturers) working properly with Mach4. I did have it all running OK until I upgraded the firmware on the controller - now I cant get the touch sensor to work (although it is wired correctly & led comes on when touched) - and I can no longer control my spindle speed from the GUI.
At this point I am just so frustrated I want to go back to Mach3 & may go back to the cheap Chinese controller I had previously ...
-
You must have had a Mach3 license previously, correct? So just use that one. The licenses, Mach3 and Mach4, use different mechanisms, so I doubt you can switch. Mach3 just uses a license file and I don't remember how you got a new file if you deleted your old Mach3 install and hence deleted the license file.
-
No, unfortunately not - I imported this machine from China & it came with a pirated version of Mach3. I upgraded the machine to the CSMIO/P-M controller (piece of crap - should have bought an American product!) and Mach4 - and I did buy a Mach4 Hobby license, but the plug-in for Mach4 is so buggy it is unusable. So now I would like to go back to Mach3 just to see if this crappy controller can actually be used at all.
Anyone want to trade for an ESS controller?
-
i use pokeys +mach4 on chines machine, on complex chines cnc(with 2 machines run parallel)without problem
https://youtu.be/eORzkPKqkXM
-
chines use chines card for mach 3 and its real disaster unstable ,i suggest you not even think about stay with chines mach 3 cards
-
So it's one of two choices, buy an ESS and keep using Mach4 (RECOMMENDED) or buy a Mach3 license.
I'd sell the CSMIO and buy the ESS for sure!! Mach3 is too old to start with now, and Mach4 is SO much better.
Tom
-
Hi,
I agree with Tom, an ESS and Mach4 is a good combination. Bear in mind you need a breakout board or boards with an ESS.
The CSMIO works very well with Mach3 so its not an unreasonable proposition to buy a Mach3 license at $175. However the cost
of an ESS at $180 makes it about a wash. You will get good money for the CSMIO amongst Mach3 users, easily enough to get an ESS
and probably an MB3 breakout board.
Craig
-
I really appreciate all the input. I spent most of today getting the CSMIO going with Mach3 (Demo version) and I think it's now running pretty sweet. I really would prefer running Mach4, but I don't relish the thought of rewiring the machine again - I still have nightmares from the first time :-(
-
Hi,
its not so much that there is anything wrong with Mach3 just that Mach4 is so much better:
https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=42891.0 (https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=42891.0)
Craig
-
when i decided to start use mach(before i use Tpa italy) i search for hardware supplier in europe
i had 2 main options Pokeys or CSIMO
i check both of them ,i wanted to choose csimo but then when i search on plugins always its was written mach3
when i asked ,i need mach4 they said ohhh its ok we have both
so seem its not real match mach4
-
@joeaverage - yes, I completely agree, but I have been unable to get this controller working properly with Mach4 - so my choices are to either spend the money on a Mach3 license (relatively painless) - or chuck this garbage controller & go through the pain of re-wiring & installing a better one. Don't really have the time - got lots of stuff I need to get on with! Also, there is a LOT more support for Mach3 available than for Mach4.
@KatzYaakov - I originally bought this controller because they were one of the few that claimed to support Mach4, but installing the CSMIO controller was a nightmare! I pretty much had to re-wire the entire machine & add pull-up resistors etc just to get the motion side going; then I had some major issues getting it to work with the inverter just to get control of the spindle (had to pretty much re-program the inverter). It took me months - while receiving little to no support from the vendor. Their support tech (Wojtek somethingorother) is a complete waste of time (and arrogant!) I will never buy another of their products! In my experience - while this controller may work with Mach3 - it is useless for Mach4.
-
I used Mach3 and then 4 on my other machine that is sold and it was Warp9 ESS it was wonderful I purchased PMDX board and its on USB and Mach4, on my new machine, no issues. Dump the Chinese crap and just get something that works. PS if you had a Mach3-4 account before they might have a record of your old Mach3 license... if you really want to go back.
-
Hi,
Also, there is a LOT more support for Mach3 available than for Mach4.
Pure fiction. All development ceased on Mach3 six years ago.....so no manufacturer support. Mach4 is the current product
and NFS support it through a ticket system when you can't find what you need from the Mach4 community, which is a t least
as active as the Mach3 community.
Craig
-
Don't get me wrong - I like Mach4; but trolling through the forums I have just not been able to solve the issues I have. Maybe I'm doing it wrong ....
I have, however, been able to solve all the Mach3 issues using the same approach.
I did approach NFS yesterday, but I have yet to get a reply...
-
Simple, dump that controller and get one that works with Mach4. The PMDX controller I purchased even comes with the pre-made setups. Plus they have documentation you can read, Hell I'm 77 years old and I figured it out! Disclaimer: Yes I have worked with hobby level CNC for a few years and I am a controls electrician.
-
Hi,
I did approach NFS yesterday, but I have yet to get a reply...
The ticket system with NFS does work, but you are right it can be slow. If you are an industrial user (having paid the
significant premium of Mach4Industrial) you get first class service, as Hobby users we get whats left over, but it does work.
Craig
-
what ever you choose ,stay with mach3 or 4 (i think stay with 3 its big mistake ,but its an option)
stay with chines card its not an option,i have been in china more then 30 times last 2 years ,i sell there software and know quit well there
cnc market ,the chines card well know there as disaster and unstable,and after very few uses start make many problems
good luck