I have MAch4 on my workshop PC for use with my CNC Router. (Running with an Ess Smoothstepper)
I also have an Eleksmaker and Lightburn to generate the Gcode for my 60Watt Co2 laser machine.

I want to remove the Laser Diode from the Eleksmaker and install it on my Router Z Axis.
Mach 4 I understand does not control the laser but Mach3 will. (I believe thereare PWM issues)
Can I install both Mach3 and Mach4 on my PCc.

Many thanks.

Hi,
Yes, you can install Mach3 and Mach4 on the same machine.
Note that you will need a licence for Mach3 and a separate licence for Mach4.
Cheers,

Peter

If it's any help...
The ESS Mach3 laser support only extends to vector working whereas the ESS and Mach4 support both vector and raster laser working.
Warp9 still have a way to go on improving their poor user interface for raster working but their laser support and actual ESS laser control is excellent.

Tweakie.

Thanks Tweekie,

I understand what you ar saying, however Mach4 will not handle my files unless modified which is quite a pain.

Mach4 and Lightburn GRBL3 Gcode.
After a bit of changes to the GRBL3 Gcode produced by Lightburn I finally achieved some result.

GRBL sends 'S' to to turn laser on and of.
Any 'S' followed by a number' I.e S57 means turn laser on at 57%. This needs replacing with M62P20
An 'S' number followed by a 0 means laser off. And needs replacing with M63P20

Here is a small part of the code I used.
; LightBurn 0.9.16 George's WIFICARD
; GRBL-M3 (1.1e or earlier) device profile, current position
; Bounds: X0 Y0 to X71.17 Y43
G00 G17 G40 G21 G54
G91
; Image @ 6000 mm/min, 70% power
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_PWM_PERCENTAGE=75)
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_FREQUENCY=20000)
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_GATE_DELAY=0.5)
m2003 (LASER_VECTOR_GATE_DURATION=0.5)
M2004
M62P20 F100.0
T1M06
S200M03 F100
G94 M63P20
M8
M5
G0X4.98Y4.52
; Layer C00
M3
G1X6.1F100M62P20
G1X2.03M63P20
G1X3.56M62P20
G1X5.59M63P20
G1X1.01M62P20
G1X2.03M63P20

Looks like you have Mach4 under control so why would you need to use Mach3 ?

Tweakie.