I seem to operate my CNC machines in a totally different manner to everyone else so here is something to make you smile…

I have a number of different Motion Controllers that I can use with mach4 and to make them interchangeable with any of my machines they are output pin compatible (using just two Ports) and not physically attached to the machine. To avoid any possible start-up problems my Computer and Motion Controller are powered first and my machine is only powered once the software is up and running. To achieve this I am using a simple Solid State Relay (activated by my Computer USB) to switch power to my Motion Controller PSU at the same time as my Computer is powered. Works like a charm. 

Tweakie.

This is just one of the motion controllers I can use with Mach4.

Tweakie.