ART,
Here is the summary for your comment. Based on this, there will be some changes in Mach turn configuration, so the screens currently shown in the threading doc need to redone. I figured i would waite to see what new version brings and then add commentary in the doc.
RICH
Mach version

?
There will be an updated version of Mach released using a completely new threading code versus all the other versions. Users should wait for the threading changes to be initiated since the one posted in the treading tests is experimental and not recommended for general use. The code will only be for a single INDEX .
There are two current basic configurations for threading. Single index ( single slotted disc / halls sensor, etc.) or timing ( multi-slotted disc with index, or electronic equivalent / encoder ). The new version of threading will change the current ‘timing” configuration such that a multi slotted disc with a wider index slot used for timing will no longer be available.
There are two current threading plug-ins. TurnDiags-Turn-Diag-1.00.1 called Turn Diagnostics in the PlugIn Control tab is currently loaded on a Mach installation. The second one, namely ThreadingAdvanced-Threading-1.00.0 was in testing.
The new threading still addresses slow down of the spindle. How well it will hold the threading tolerance has not been tested yet, but ‘may be” in the 10-25% range. You will not be able to completely stop the spindle and recover the threading cycle and prior tests for spindle slow down are no longer applicable.
The “future” Advanced Threading requires update per the new threading code and will allow for a slotted wheel with index or an encoder. When using an encoder additional parameters will need to be defined to MACH. If using an encoder, you’ll have to set the number of quads per rev and should work fine if one considers just how many lines can be seen per rev at top speed of threading used and limits their speed to that as a maximum. The Advanced Threading will not be available until after the updated version of Mach is released.
An encoder can be used for threading, and it IS on the books to allow an encoder geared output of the stream, but that may take longer to appear since rework of the code is first required to get it to a more manageable level of interconnection. As the printer port very slowly goes away, it
becomes a question of what the new hardware guru's can put in their firmware with application support from ArtSoft's side.
I suspect Electronic gearing is now possible, but will require a defined development procedure similar to what we just went through with threading.