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Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« on: January 02, 2010, 02:45:31 AM »
I have a licensed Mach3 set up and running my 1st machine, It is a simple 3 axis machine using 3 steppers.  I am building a second machine which is a moving gantry with a screw and stepper on each side of the gantry and using 4 steppers.  After my second machine it running and all set up I will take tear down my first machine.

But in the meantime I would like to use the same PC that has mach installed on it to be able to run either of the two machines without having to change all of the configurations and mach set up when I connect up either one of the machines.  Is this possible and if so how would it be done?
Mr. Chips
Retired 3M'r

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Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2010, 03:11:37 AM »
Hi, Mr.Chips

Run Mach3 exe from the installed location, Usually it's located at C:\mach3 folder, You'll see an option to create additional profiles which will allow you to do what you want.

Hope this helps, Chip
Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2010, 03:19:45 AM »
Thanks Chip,
I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Hager
Mr. Chips
Retired 3M'r
Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2010, 07:17:40 AM »
Don't forget also you can clone an existing profile.

Then just change the details that make this different from the first profile
The Good Thing About Mach3, Is It's very Configurable

The Bad Thing About Mach3, Is It's Too Configurable
Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2010, 07:53:26 AM »
Phil_H

When you say "Clone" is that just copying the Mach3 icon on the desktop and renaming it. And that is the clone, or are there other steps.

Thanks
Hager
Mr. Chips
Retired 3M'r
Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2010, 09:19:35 AM »
Hagar

Sorry the Mach3 loader has changed

So you do it like this

You set your machine just the way you like it

You go to the mach3 folder and change that perfect profile which could be the default Mach3_mill.xml

You the copy it to a new name IE "Hager_1"

Then you have two profiles the same

Copy again to "Hager_2"

Now you have three profiles you could keep Mach3_mill.xml as the backup default "A GOOD IDEA"

Then when you run the loader you will see these two extra profiles

You just change what is necessary to make them different to each other

I have a similar setup where one profile is the mill

The second is an engraver

Phil

The Good Thing About Mach3, Is It's very Configurable

The Bad Thing About Mach3, Is It's Too Configurable
Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2010, 10:13:14 PM »
You might try reading the Mach installation manual. It has a full explanation of profiles and how and why to create them. See the documentation page on this site for the manual
Re: Two CNC configurations on one PC, Possible?
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2010, 12:25:55 AM »
No, no, don't do it Ron, not RTFM,  :o noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :o

Actually reading the manual is a great idea. :)

As sick as this sounds, when I have some time such as waiting for the machine to finish a part I will read the manual again. Mach3 has so many settings and capabilities that even Art doesn't know them all off of the top of his head and he wrote the program.

 >:D Mike >:D
We never have the time or money to do it right the first time, but we somehow manage to do it twice and then spend the money to get it right.