Has anyone had significant experience with Mach 4 on a hobbyist router? I have a chinese desktop router and plan to add a VFD to control the spindle (current speed and S/S controls are manual at this time). I have been playing with Mach 3 on a parallel control interface and like the flexibility of directly interfacing to the IO ports. The machine’s primary use is PC board milling and I am beginning to use it to machine the enclosures and carve/engrave signs. Any suggestions appreciated.
I must be dense, as usual. You already have Mach3, right? Why would you pay for more software?
Mach 4 is the replacement for Mach 3 and is handled quite differently. I am using the trial version of M3 and plan to upgrade to soon, but don’t want to have to relearn the software all over again if M4 works well.
What’s to learn? How to load g-code? How to lower/raise the axis?
I’m guessing you have never really explored what Mach is capable of then Mike… Too bad.
No, I use advanced controllers that decode the g-code, not a dedicated computer. Nothing I own is old enough to have a parallel port or runs any MS operating systems.
‘Too bad’? Really? Are you pouting? I asked a serious question and all you have is ‘Too bad’? I was interested to know what you needed to know with Mach. My controller app allows me to move my router around the bed, to set up extents, etc., to load g-code and to cut/stop. I was interested in what else a controller app needs to do, because as an amateur (this being a hobbyists forum) I have never been trained as a machinist and find it difficult to work out what else you would need from something that is basically a graphical representation of what is going on between your code and your hardware.
You had the opportunity to educate and you chose to be pissy instead.
Too bad.
Funny, Mike… I took your comment as sarcastic, glib, unkind definitely not helpful. I have worked with and installed dedicated systems on machine shop equipment, but have not worked with the independant PC based controls for long and was asking for help. As far as I am concerned, kindly keep your sarcasm to yourself.
…I kinda read those comments as glib as well.
I bought Mach3 last year and was thinking of waiting for Mach4 but most of my stuff is already Parallel port and compatible with Mach3. Also, with the seriously long release time (probably working out bugs and such) I wouldn’t want to experiment with a new software package and help beta test. Breaking my CNC machine would make me sad. Shit is expensive to fix!
@Mike_Thornbury have you used Mach3? Sure the basics like raise and lower etc are easy… but get into G54 offsets, custom buttons, auto tool touch offs … the list goes on and on. Many hobby CNC guys only use like 10% of what the software can do.
My comment is slightly OT. A system lacking a parallel port is a terrible reason to buy $200 software, if you already have Mach3. A parallel port card that will give you between 1 and 3 ports is like $20.
parallel port cards don’t work quite the same. (I don’t use one, but I’ve read that on CNCZone forums). Apparently they don’t offer the same either timing or power out of the pins that an onboard parallel port does. That being said, given enough time systems like smoothieboards and ethernet based controllers are going to take over completely. I think they haven’t due to cost constraints.