Recent Posts

51

General Mach Discussion / Mach4 full closed loop + Ethercat ??

« Last post by madsrj8@gmail.com on December 24, 2025, 04:53:42 PM »

Hi everyone,
I wanted to ask if you know whether it is possible to run Mach4 with Delta "ASDA-A2-E" drives. In a fully closed loop setup — meaning using both the motor encoders and linear glass scales?
Best Regards and happy christmas

52

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using AI for custom programing

« Last post by JohnHaine on December 24, 2025, 03:21:24 AM »

Or visit https://www.physanon.com/ for his improved Mach3 screen set developed after similar frustration with M4. Frankly I wouldn't trust any AI code to use on a machine yet.  As the OP said you need to know what you are doing anyway and have to spot its hallucinations.

53

General Mach Discussion / Re: Using AI for custom programing

« Last post by Nick-G on December 23, 2025, 08:52:39 PM »

Sorry I would like to help but I just don't have the time. The best advice I can give is switch to linuxcnc. Ive spent 5 years on the dumpster fire that is mach 4 and I wish I would have cut my losses a long time ago.

54

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Mach3 ESS G76 threading problems

« Last post by Rony Sneppe on December 23, 2025, 07:34:16 AM »

Hello,
I have the same threading problem with ESS on a self build lathe.
Did you find a solution?
grt,
Rony

55

Finished Screens / Re: Mach3 DarkScreen Screenset - Now Available

« Last post by Oddified on December 22, 2025, 03:33:56 PM »

After using Mach3 for around 15 years, i recently updated my cnc pc and now running windows 7, parallel port, all updated and runs perfectly (with the 'normal' reg edits to keep the port driver talking to the port..).

Came across the Dark Screen set during sorting the new pc, absolutely brilliant, love it!!. The only tiny mods i've done is changing the function of the 'Goto Zero' button so it functions the same as the std screen set ie, lifts Z out of the work first, then zero's X, Y, A etc. The Dark screen only zero's X and Y and if the the tool is in a pocket...it doesn't end well lol. Also added a 'Regen Toolpath' button which is useful on the main screen rather than finding it in a drop down menu. Last but not least, deleted the 'Dark Screen 1.01 Designer Graphicer82' image/link lower left... only because clicking on it caused mach3 to crash!. I put the Mach3 blue logo there instead to fill the space 

56

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Touchscreen for Mach4?

« Last post by Azalin on December 22, 2025, 03:52:44 AM »

I always hated playing with the screen editor. So I better keep using a mouse.

Thanks Craig.

Best,
Suat

57

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reawakening a MAXNC-10

« Last post by JohnHaine on December 21, 2025, 09:46:03 AM »

I've found some pics of the machine and I see on the back of at least the X axis drive motor there's what may be an encoder.  So maybe the motor had 4 wires and the encoder another 4.  The motors will be a standard NEMA frame size and could be replaced with steppers at significantly lower cost than servos.  Actually if the "refurb kit" motors only have 4 wires they must be steppers anyway - hardly any point in using servos on a tiny machine like this.  Modern steppers should have plenty of torque for it.

If you bought the UC100 already, then you need a breakout board which should be about $10, 3 steppers at ~$35, and 3 drivers at ~$20 each.  Look at https://www.omc-stepperonline.com/hybrid-stepper-motor for a good motor and driver supplier - I have always found them very good.

58

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reawakening a MAXNC-10

« Last post by john buffum on December 21, 2025, 06:43:36 AM »

Bummer.

So, my best bet is spend another $200 and get the general overhaul refurb kit.  Controller board, motion control boards, servos, power supply, and whatever else they throw in the box.

The servos are perfectly good, but they have 8 wires, while the "kit" servos have 4.

(sigh) If you wanna play, you gotta pay.

59

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reawakening a MAXNC-10

« Last post by JohnHaine on December 21, 2025, 05:02:28 AM »

Right! I think I see now.  The original maxnc units appeared to require quadrature drive from M3 because they didn't have any sort of proper stepper drivers. Ugh! So there is no way a motion controller will drive it because they all assume the use of a modern stepper driver that just needs step and direction pulses.  I think you will need two things. First a set of stepper drivers, one per axis, that can drive your motors.  Second a breakout board to interface between the UC100 and the drivers. Can you give more information and photos of your machine?

60

General Mach Discussion / Re: Reawakening a MAXNC-10

« Last post by JohnHaine on December 21, 2025, 04:49:25 AM »

That seems odd to me. When I switched to the UC100 from ppt the settings carried across almost perfectly.