Messages

2011

General Mach Discussion / Re: CNC Plasma Table Which Controller where to start.

« on: September 26, 2019, 07:36:51 PM »

Hi,

I am pretty sure that I am going to get Mach 4 and want to make sure I am looking at the proper controllers. I have been looking at the PoKeys57CNC for my controller but have read a few things that I am not so sure about the support and reliability on

Mach4 is highly appropriate for what amounts to a new build.

At this time there are only two Mach4 ready motion controllers that support realtime THC, the Hicon (Vital Systems at approx $1000 with required activations) and the
Ethernet SmoothStepper (Warp9 at approx $180 PLUS the T3CM controller which I understand is several hundred USD).

Mach4 also has a script based THC facility, new several months ago. That means that any controller can do THC but the response is a order of magnitude (or more) slower
than the realtime controllers. NFS are clearly of the opinion that the script solution is sufficiently responsive for most users, if however your demands for THC response
are high (thin gauge metals which distort/warp rapidly for instance) then realtime THC is a must.

I would commend you look at the Ethernet SmoothStepper closely as it has the most comprehensive range of realtime supports.....backlash comp, lathe threading, encoder/index
spindle PID, laser vectoring/rastering, realtime THC, plus all the usual home/limits/probing/squaring supports that you would expect of any controller.

Craig

2012

General Mach Discussion / Re: New to Mach - need help with installation & set up

« on: September 25, 2019, 06:37:38 PM »

Hi,
with a Windows10 PC you will need an external motion controller.

What motion controller are you usingh?

Craig

2013

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and the Surface tablet

« on: September 25, 2019, 02:19:03 PM »

Hi,

SainSmart Genmitsu CNC Router Machine 3018-MX3, with Mach3 Control and Safety-Driven Design)

....and the manufacturer of the kit won't help? I think you are right those kits use a 'SainSmart' USB controller
sometimes also called BitSensor and RnR motion board depending on which Chinese manufacturer is selling it.
It won't work with Mach4.....in fact a lot of people have found they cant get it to work with Mach3 either!

My suggestion is ditch it and get a decent US or European made board.

Good luck.

Craig

2014

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and the Surface tablet

« on: September 25, 2019, 12:40:35 AM »

Hi,
then Mach3 or Mach4 will run fine but you must use an external motion controller, my preference
and recommendation is an Ethernet SmoothStepper ($180) by Warp9.

You will need at least one breakout board, a C10 ($23) is cheap enough but has no relays, PWM or optoisolated inputs.
If you want the extra 'fruity bits' you will either have to add them yourself or buy a more sophisticated board.
Many are opting for an MB03 ($180) from CNCRoom, all three ports developed with relays, PWM and optos, all ready to rock.

Note that all development on Mach3 ceased six years ago, if you are building new I would recommend Mach4.

Craig

2015

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 and the Surface tablet

« on: September 24, 2019, 06:38:14 PM »

Hi,
Mach3 is a Windows application, thus it requires XP or Windows7 and later to run. It will also run on Windows98 etc but
don't go there. Additionally if you are going to use a parallel port motion controller the you MUST use a 32 bit OS,
Windows7 or earlier.

If you wish to use a later (Windows8 or Windows10) or ANY 64bit OS then you MUST use an external
motion controller like an Ethernet SmoothStepper or a UC300.

Some of the Surface Tablets had a funny OS, it looked like Windows but its not. It was not successful and Microsoft ditched
it.

Can you tell me exactly what OS you have installed? This will determine whether Mach will run and taken with the hardware
layout of your tablet will determine if you can use a parallel port.

Craig

2016

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Which Encoder for Mach4 Lathe Threading?

« on: September 23, 2019, 02:50:25 PM »

Hi,
I'm not personally familiar with the PoKeys board.

I'm fairly sure that the 57CNC has lathe threading capability. What you need to find out is what the 57CNC expects.
It may be one of:
1) An index signal only, ie one pulse per rev.
2) A single A (or B) channel and an index signal
3) Full house, that is, A&B channels and an index signal.

An email to PoKeys or maybe a search of the PoKeys board on this forum will get you the answer.

Craig

2017

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Which Encoder for Mach4 Lathe Threading?

« on: September 23, 2019, 02:29:54 PM »

Hi,
lathe threading is a realtime function and is therefore enacted by your motion controller, being realtime, under supervision
of Mach4, which is not.

The question is what motion controller are you using and what encoder does it expect?

Craig

2018

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach 3 or 4 Controller

« on: September 23, 2019, 08:59:02 AM »

Hi,
I use MB2 breakout boards from Homann Designs (Australia). They are very simple, much like a C10, that is to say
no relays, no PWM and no opto-isolators.

Electronics is my thing, so if I want or need any of those features I add them as I require. This gives me great flexibility
with respect to pin assignment.

The MB03 by CNCRoom has a good reputation. Firstly all three ESS ports are developed. There is a reasonable balance between
inputs and outputs. The outputs which are intended for use as step/direction outputs are differential whereas the majority
of the others are single ended.

All reports are that CNCRoom is good to deal with and their products are quality made. I personally have not dealt with them
but ger21 has.......and he recommends them.

I like the flexibility of the simple bi-directional boards and I like that they are cheap by comparison to a MB03 and so I'll
stick with them.

Craig

2019

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH III "Run from Here" not working correctly

« on: September 22, 2019, 10:59:46 PM »

Hi,
RFH has ALLWAYS been problematic no matter what version of Mach3.

All development on Mach3 ceased six years ago in favor of Mach4. If you wish to persue a Mach software solution where
you can expect bugs to be fixed then Mach4 is it.

Craig

2020

General Mach Discussion / Re: MACH III "Run from Here" not working correctly

« on: September 21, 2019, 12:13:47 AM »

Hi,
Run-From-Here (RFH) has always been a little problematic.

You are correct the ghost run through the code to the start point should initialise all the mode registers, but as Graham
points out any shortfall will result in a stalled program.

May I suggest keep experimenting until you find the correct procedure with your installation. RFH gave me grief until I worked
out how to do it properly and even then.....deviate from that procedure results in a crash.

Its been four years since I switched the Mach4 so I'm now vague on the details but I certainly did get Mach3 RFH to work.

Craig