Hi,
For those yet to decide on what controller to use with Mach4, then you should take a good look at Mach4 and HiCON (Vital Systems) as a great combination.
The system is rock solid, I can run Mach4 on the Mill as well as numerous other applications at the same time keeping the CPU continually at 100% and high disk loads and Graphics usage with no affect on the milling process.
We have been CNC milling highly detailed 2.5D images with Brass for the last month Non Stop with long runs exceeding 12 hours with TBN cutters down to .05mm radius with a very good finish, so both Mach4 V3390 and HiCON with latest drivers and firmware are processing true to the G-Code.
We have yet to try 4 Axis as Mach4 still does not display the Toolpath correctly, I am sure one day it will.
Regards,
Mauri.

Hi Mauri,
i note from the Vital Systems website that the HICON board starts out at $600 but goes up as you add features.

Have you added any to your controller? If so what features and why did you need them?

Craig

Hi,
We have only used the HiCON card.
The Basic card controls all the Mach4 operations as well as a spindle.
Your usage of other cards may differ depending on what equipment you have (i.e.) Stepper vs Servo etc., we use Steppers.
We also fully control Mach4 via buttons on our controller.
Regards,
Mauri.

Hi Mauri,
kool, I've looked and looked at the HICON and have heard they are good. I use an ESS and it works fine
and of course less than $200. My mill doesn't require anything special, what servos I run have their own closed
loop drive, neither do I require analogue input although it would be nice, could probably use the plain
HICON board as you have with succsess.

I've got a couple of customers thru work that I could supply Mach4 to run plasma tables. Warp9 is working on THC
but its not ready yet, and even if the ESS can handle it there is still the need to write a Mach4 panel...

HICON has an added feature for THC and is looking pretty good....$1355 US including Mach4 Hobby.

Craig

We just started using the HiCON Controller.  It is very reliable and pretty simple to set up IMHO.  For the two machines we have them running on, I'm very happy with the results.

I run a self built 5 axis machine and im also using the Hicon Integra 6 axis Controller.
it runs great!