Please look at the attachment jpg.  You can see I have a lathe-type device connected to mach 3, with some of the inherent issues that mach 3 has, that is I have a lot of problems just getting lathe to turn on at a certain speed and then have the x-y-z axis do their thing.  I have reached the conclusion that I need to run the lathe from a controller that is independent of a computer.  That is I would plug it into the wall socket and by adjusting a couple of knobs (whatever) the lathe would turn clockwise or CCW and with another knob or feature I could increase or decrease the speed.

Now what would I call a unit like that, and where might I look.  Looking for your suggestions.  Thanks, bob

Half,
See my reply to your other thread.

Bob,
I would suggest just keep posting in the other thread as questions arise relative to your setup and what you want to do. Users following that  thread already have a overall idea of what your doing and you'll get more pointed replies to any question you ask.

RICH