Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: inaxtor on October 05, 2021, 04:05:54 AM

Title: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: inaxtor on October 05, 2021, 04:05:54 AM

Had an existing cnc router with control panel RichAuto dsp 11 went down.

Changed over and recabled everything according to Mach3 breakout board for x-axis and y-axis and spindile
VFD comes on Mach3 board comes on with two solid RED lights.

Do I need a license to get this working??

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 05, 2021, 05:01:08 AM

You do not need a license to get it working.

Only purchase the license when you have your machine working correctly and need to run a Gcode file greater than 500 lines of code.

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: inaxtor on October 10, 2021, 05:40:26 AM

Seems the the issue is with the driver.

No driver appears in device manager and when I try to add the mach3.inf file as a driver I receive the error attached

Please assist.

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 10, 2021, 06:03:37 AM

The Mach3 breakout board you have shown in your earlier picture requires connection to your PC's Parallel Port. (n.b. The Parallel Port can only be used with 32 bit Operating systems).

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: inaxtor on October 10, 2021, 06:27:30 AM

there is a slot for usb.

Will usb to usb work?

And need to have 32 bit windows 10?

Does mach3 work on raspberry pi?

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 10, 2021, 07:10:42 AM

The USB slot is just for a 5Volt power connection, the board needs the Parallel Port connection to work.

You need Win7 (or earlier) 32 bit OS.

Raspberry pi may well be capable but I doubt anyone has ever written a suitable driver.

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: inaxtor on October 10, 2021, 02:41:31 PM

Thank you so much. Really appreciate the assistance.

Last 2 questions please.

Will a parallel port to usb cable work for communications to computer?? (like attached)

And will I still need the 5v usb for power if I am using a parallel port cable?

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on October 11, 2021, 01:19:47 AM

Unfortunately the USB / Parallel adapter cable will not work.
The Parallel cable will not provide 5 Volt power to the board so you will still use the USB cable.

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: inaxtor on November 07, 2021, 07:33:44 AM

The usb will provide the 5v power but the parallel will provide communications?

Title: Re: Mach3 does not move axis at all in demo mode
Post by: inaxtor on November 07, 2021, 07:35:30 AM

When trying to install mach3 support on windows xp I get an error:

"Unable to open output file"

Please assist.