Hey all, probably broke a cardinal rule reposting this to here so forgive me.  In my haste, I didn't find this forum heading until after I had posted this originally, think this topic has more to do with the software than anything.....

Anyway,

We have an XYZ table controlled with Mach 3, thru a Leafboy77 USB interface board to 3 Novanic 2M656 Stepper Controllers.  Then...we have a Bright Solutions laser with the Cambridge Technology SC500 scanner controller card driven with Scanmaster Controller software, all this attached to the XYZ table.

Main question is, since both programs are written with Visual Basic, can the Mach3 Cycle Start button be programmed to also activate the Start button in Scanmaster Controller?  As well as other buttons?

The idea is to use the Scanmaster Controller software to build a tool.  Say a .004 end mill.  Then use Mach 3 to run that tool upon clicking the Cycle Start button and have it run it's Gcode and then when M5 occurs the table and laser will stop. 

I haven't tackled learning VB but this might be the plunge. 

Thanks.