I have a mill, running with Mach4 and a CSMIO/IP-M and I have few complaints about it.
This year, I decided to convert my Denford Cyclone with Fanuc OTB and servos to run Mach3 / 4 - and figured I'd buy another IP-M controller, but I'm starting to regret that decision!
The plugin for Mach3 was flaky as hell. It worked OK with Mach3 Mill but refused to cooperate with Mach3 Turn. OK, neither the plugin nor Mach3 are supported so I decided to go for Mach4 instead.
Unfortunately, their V3 Mach4 plugin also has problems. Mainly with connectivity but when it does connect, the pulse-stream it generates is lumpy / jerky. They suggested a faster PC. Made no difference.
Cut a long story short - I'm now at the point of abandoning CSMIO and buying something else! I want to continue with Mach4 as I like it!
Ideally, I'd like:
- 24v differential inputs & outputs
- Threading with single pulse or Encoder
- Proven ability to play nicely with Ultra3000 Servo Drives
- 2 x Analog inputs
- 1 x Analog 0-10V output
- Ethernet connectivity (that works)
- Mach4 Plugin that actually works!!!
Today I've looked at:
- Pokeys57cnc - Although people have made it work - there are also a lot of people expressing problems.
- Vital Systems HiCon Integra - Looks good but quite expensive. Once I've bought the analog upgrade & threading it comes to $1120 + shipping, duty & VAT = over £1,000
- UC300 - doesn't support Lathes
- CNCDrive AXBB-E - Looks OK but very little info on line. No obvious Mach4 driver nor threading
- PMDX-424 - Looks OK. Shame it's USB but it ticks most other boxes
- ESS - Has threading now, but people still finding problems with it. I had an ESS, probably 10 years ago and had a lot of problems with the Mach3 driver loosing contact and hanging half way through a job. Hopefully it's better now?
Is there anything decent I've missed? Do any of you have a Lathe with Treading & Mach4 with Servos?
Feeling that I've wasted £500 (£1500 if you include buying a new PC unnecesarily) - I would value any advice you have on not wasting any more!
Si