Recent Posts

71

General Mach Discussion / Re: Screen Selection Tabs- how to make them appear?

« Last post by TPS on December 17, 2025, 04:10:30 AM »

maybe

Config -> General Config -> Screen Control -> Auto Screen Enlarge

can help

72

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Re: Need to run GCode between certain times.

« Last post by Marcwolf on December 16, 2025, 03:26:18 PM »

I have whipped up this pseudo code that should do it. you start by tunning this when you ready to start the job..


Const StrtTime = ' mins at 8am
Const EndTime = ' mins at 5pm
Var iRunning as Boolean
Var oRunning as Boolean

iRunning = True
oRunning = True
Start the Job
While Job_active   ' Checks that the current job is running and not finished
   Get System Time in minutes from midnight
   If system time between StrtTime and EndTime  then
      iRunning = False
   Else
    iRunning = True   
   End if

   Do   ' Stop testing too quickly. We are not worried about seconds
     Wait 5 mins       
     sleep
   Loop

   If  oRunning <> iRunning
   if iRunning = False
      FeedHold
           oRunning = False
        else
           Run Job
      oRunning = true
        end if
   end if

Loop

73

G-Code, CAD, and CAM discussions / Need to run GCode between certain times.

« Last post by Marcwolf on December 16, 2025, 02:18:51 PM »

Hi. We have an issue where we have to run our machine between certain times. We can view it via a cameras.

So I am wondering if anyone has a script that can read the system time and when it is 8am it starts the job, and a 5pm it does a feed hold until 8am the next day.
And continue this till it is the job is done.

I am a VB programmer and have an idea of how it can be done using While.. Loops and Sleep to keep thing running.

Longer Story.  We have a big CNC (2.4m x 1.2m) in a Mens Shed that only opens Mon - Wends from 9am to 12pm.  This is a very small window to do very large jobs. i.e. slice of a tree getting a sign engraved onto it. Unfortunately the shed also had neighbours who complains about after hours time so we cannot run this 24hrs a day till the job is finished.

Any help is greatly appriciated.
Many thanks
Dave

74

General Mach Discussion / Screen Selection Tabs- how to make them appear?

« Last post by alchantelois on December 16, 2025, 02:18:47 PM »

I installed Mach3 on a new computer and when I open the program, the Screen Selection Tabs bar (Program run alt1/MDI alt2/ToolPath alt4 etc) does not appear and I can find nothing in the manual explaining how to open that button bar. Can anyone tell me how to turn the bar on/ make it appear?

Allen

75

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble getting Bridgeport Series 1 CNC to work with new computer.

« Last post by JohnHaine on December 16, 2025, 11:37:28 AM »

Mach3 cannot delegate real-time motion control to two motion controllers at the same time.  For a Bridgport, get something more robust that connects via Ethernet and handles +24vdc logic.

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com

Who's trying to do that?  I need 2 for convenience, one for the mill and the other for the lathe, as moving one across would involved unscrewing covers etc.  What is slightly awkward is that I have to change over the other end of the USB cable as USB can't support "virtual" switching.

76

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble getting Bridgeport Series 1 CNC to work with new computer.

« Last post by Green4020 on December 16, 2025, 11:17:29 AM »

I just have the one UC100 motion controller.  There isn't a second one.

77

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble getting Bridgeport Series 1 CNC to work with new computer.

« Last post by arturod on December 16, 2025, 11:11:25 AM »

Mach3 cannot delegate real-time motion control to two motion controllers at the same time.  For a Bridgport, get something more robust that connects via Ethernet and handles +24vdc logic.

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com

78

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Replacing my Novusun controller with other brand

« Last post by arturod on December 16, 2025, 11:08:05 AM »

This is a very popular upgrade.  It is basically a matter of swapping the motion controller.  Please check this:
https://www.cnc4pc.com/blog/post-4/upgrade-ec300-to-a-c25xp-70

Arturo Duncan
https://cnc4pc.com

79

Third party software and hardware support forums. / Re: Replacing my Novusun controller with other brand

« Last post by Tweakie.CNC on December 15, 2025, 05:00:26 AM »

You should bear in mind that Mach3 is obsolescent and no longer supported by Artsoft or the manufacturers of the various motion controllers, however, the Warp9TD Smooth Stepper is probably the best choice of motion controller as there is a wealth of information regarding connection and Mach3 setup details on the Warp9TD website. The Smooth Stepper also supports Mach4 which may be a better option for you as it is an improved product and the license cost is very little different to Mach3. Overall the cost of the SS, suitable breakout board and Mach4 license should be within your target budget.

Hope this helps.

Tweakie.

80

General Mach Discussion / Re: Trouble getting Bridgeport Series 1 CNC to work with new computer.

« Last post by Green4020 on December 15, 2025, 03:43:42 AM »

Yes, I was able to use the xml file from the last computer.  Ive messed with the step rates some but nothing seems to change.