Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: adigati on May 09, 2006, 10:33:39 PM

Title: New guy needs help!
Post by: adigati on May 09, 2006, 10:33:39 PM
I am interested in making a CNC Plasma cutter. All road signs point to the Mach software. Is there anywhere I'm supposed to start? I feel like just downloading the trial and playing with it but not even sure which Mach to use (2 or 3). Is there a primer or can anyone give me some direction here? Many thanks in advance!
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: Brian Barker on May 09, 2006, 11:06:12 PM
Use Mach3 and check out the video section so you will know more about how the software is set up and so on :)
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: creativeconversion on May 11, 2006, 01:30:45 AM
I,m doing the same thing - a plasma cutting table - however I was told a Mach 2 is more suited to a plasma - the one thing I have found is the standard Mach 2 screen has a lot of stuff on it that I don,t need, it sure would be nice if somebody has a screen specifically set up for Plasma cutting.
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: ftec on May 11, 2006, 01:36:33 PM
Someone conveniently had this thread going. I'm as newbie as can be and would like to know what kind of an interface card and stepper drivers I need to get steppers do engraving. I'm aiming at 3D wood engraving and carving, can this be done with Machs and which one of them. From where should I look for the electronics? If I want to carve 3D faces, do I need an angle movement for the spindle? 

Thanks
R.AP.
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: Brian Barker on May 11, 2006, 02:27:46 PM
A simple 3 axis mill/ router is what 99% of the people use.. Most seem to use Gecko drives and take a look at the PMDX board that plugs into the gecko drives it is VERY slick and cuts down on the wires that you have to run for a stepper system.

Hope that helps
Brian
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: ftec on May 11, 2006, 03:50:54 PM
Thanks Brian. Don't I also need an interface card connecting the drive and PC?

R.AP.
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: Brian Barker on May 11, 2006, 04:08:28 PM
Nope you are going to drive the machine from the printer port... :) You could use a Grex from Gecko but that is more money...
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: adigati on May 11, 2006, 05:35:46 PM
Thanks Brian! I'm going to check out Mach 3 and I'm sure I will have more questions.
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: ftec on May 11, 2006, 06:31:36 PM
Nope you are going to drive the machine from the printer port... :) You could use a Grex from Gecko but that is more money...

Ah, ok. Thanks again Brian.

R.AP.
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: sshneider on May 11, 2006, 11:25:52 PM
Hey Brian!

Where to find out more info on PMDX board?  Is that a Gecko product?

Regards,
Sid
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: chad on May 12, 2006, 04:08:11 AM
sshneider, and others.

Here you go!

http://www.pmdx.com/

chad
Title: Re: New guy needs help!
Post by: sshneider on May 12, 2006, 08:59:07 AM
Sweet!  Thanks!

Sid