I have a question about encoders. I was thinking about adding linear encoders to my machine but after checking around i think that they are out of my budget range.
I am not sure about adding encoders to my motors, that would tell mach or me if the motors have missed a step but haow does Mach interact with that info? iIn short what is the advanttage of using encoders with Mach,
Does it force the motor to go to the designated coordinate? does it intergrate with backlash comp? or does it simply identify an error.
I read through the Mach manual and did not come away with a clear picture (in my fuzzy brain Thanks, Cork

Does it force the motor to go to the designated coordinate? does it intergrate with backlash comp? or does it simply identify an error.

The only thing Mach3 can do "out of the box" is display the encoder position info. It's possible to write a macro to compare the commanded position with the actual position, and stop Mach3 if it's out of position, but that's about all you can do.

Even when encoders are used for servo positioning they close the loop back to the drive controller, not Mach.
N.