Hi All

My windows 10 (old) laptop is dying, keyboard is playing up so isn’t going to last much longer. I have other laptops but all running Windows11. My self buit kit (Bought as a complete Kit and assisted by the supplier in 2017) runs on Mach3, but can I use Mach3 through Windows11. I have seen some info about external motion controlers but not really understanding what’s involved

Thanks in advance

Martin

Hi Martin,
 Ok so You should do your research. there is a lot to choose from. I use a uc400eth. It works with cnc drives own control software called uccnc or it works with mach3 via a plugin. they offer others a well. https://www.cncdrive.com/products.html
there is not much setup. So you install the plugin in mach3 and enable it once you open mach3 it will give a option to select the motion controller once that is done you up and running. Smooth stepper is another option. in either case for mach3 you just install a plugin, enable the plugin and you back in business.

Surely if you are using Win10 on a laptop you will already have an external motion controller.  If my transfer from XP to Win10 (which involved also adding a motion controller) is any guide it may well be completely seamless to go from Win 10 to Win11.  As you have Win11 laptops available, just try it and see.  The main issue might be that the MC supplier doesn't have a Win11 compatible driver (i.e. plugin).

Hi All

Thanks for the reply’s.

Whilst I bolted the kit together the IT side of things is not my strength and that was all loaded and configured by the seller ( victim of covid unfortunately )

My problem is I don’t know what is inside the external box. The external box has a power supply and a pcb with chips etc on it and what looks like a termination pcb, maybe that pcb with the chips is the motion controller as the stepper motors are all plugged into that box. I also have a seperate Spindle variable speed drive. The main box is connected to the laptop by an Ethernet cable and the variable drive by usb. The other issue with the windows 11 machines is no Ethernet port. So I am not sure if it’s a matter of changing the pcb if it is a motion controller or if I am adding an extra one and how I know what’s compatible with what etc

Thanks again
Martin

Martin, post a picture of the inside of your main box. This would help us identify what the controller is.

Tweakie.

Many modern laptops don't have ethernet ports because the connector is too large. They probably have USB C ports though and USB C to ethernet adapters are easily available.

Hi Tweakie

Sorry I don’t seem to be able to find an attached function on here to add the photo. Not looking good here am I 🤔 also new to this forum!

Thanks again
Martin

Hi Martin,

This thread should help  https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=24585.msg173822#msg173822

Tweakie.