Re: Mach3 Addons For Mill License
Joao Charlesbois
I have a toolpath that I need to output to a flashdrive to put into my computer that is running Mach 3 and subsequently my CNC router. The website with router specs is: -cnc.com/product/sign-making-cnc-router/. Yes yes I know it's a cheap Chinese mill but you gotta do what you gotta do.
My router is the Omni 1212 and it states that the accepted post-process files are .nc and .gcode. But, when I go into post process for Fusion 360, when I select Mach3Mill, it tries to give me a .tap file.
Will that work? or is there a better post processor for this file type? If it means anything the controller is a "DSP Remote Controller Weihong Controller Mach3" "WiXHC usb motion card".... and that's about as much as I can gather from it.
Well if it is supposed to use Mach 3 and you need a *.nc file extension you can edit the post processor file. Right at the top you can change the Extension="tap" and change it to "nc". Try that and see if you get an error loading it on the machine.
That particular editor is VS code. That is what you will see most of the people on here using. There is a HSM extension you can get for it and other CNC addons for it. People also use Notepad++. But do not use something like Word that will add in formatting that will corrupt the post processor or code.
This controller does not have an encoder input for the spindle. The controller can output a PWM signal which causes the spindle VFD to spin at a specific RPM. That RPM is shown in Mach3 as long as the configuration has been applied properly. You can also calibrate the RPM of the spindle to match the RPM shown in Mach3 with the use of a tachometer and adjust the configuration in Mach3.
This was true for controllers that use the parallel port to communicate with the CNC as the CPU is sending signals to each of the parallel port pins (GPIO or General Purpose Input/Output). With newer types of controllers that use the USB connection, this is not a problem anymore since all of the signal processing happens on the controller rather than in the computer. The computer only needs to send high-level commands to the controller and the controller translates the simple commands to pulse trains that the drivers can accept.
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I don't believe that the board itself buffers. MAch3 however, does use an algorithm for look-ahead.
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[575] Buffering. In former days, I used a MS DOS application to do the milling jobs. I was told that Windows sometimes does other jobs ans so my milling job would be ruined. Does this USB board buffer some of the CNC data to circumvent such errors?
Unfortunately, all of the attemps I have made to use this controller with a THC did not work, so I would not recommend this board for plasma machines that use a THC. THe Pokeys57CNC controller will work with several THC controllers. I have used the Proma and the PlasmaSens controllers with the Pokeys57CNC.
The Mach3 USB controller does not contain an onboard relay; however, you can use the output to control an external relay. Follow this tutorial to control an external relay on this controller:
Make sure the output port is set to port 3. I did not mention this in the tutorial.
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[575] Mach3 board only jearking the steppers not rotating, i tried many settings but no luck here is the video !AuEcOHVa1BRjg7Iqu9teAEjsd4fnTA
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[575] Stepper X and Y jerking only not rotating, using rnr board and here is video , i followed the video you created link is here !AuEcOHVa1BRjg7Iqu9teAEjsd4fnTA
You can adapt the Mach3 USB controller to control a laser, but I would not recommend it. A traditional laser controller that is designed to control a laser is far better since you can take advantage of more sophisticated features like sweep for engraving, and automatic adjustment of laser intensity for acceleration and deceleration. The Mach3 USB controller can move the axes and turn the laser on and off, but intensity control and engraving are not an option.
Yes, the Mach3 USB controller will work with the latest Windows version and in 64-bit mode. The 32-bit mode is only relevant for using the parallel port driver if you are using a parallel port breakout board. Since this controller is connected via a USB cable, the 64-bit state will work fine.
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mach3 not showing in device manager
You should not have a problem with using this controller and having more than 500 lines of GCode. The 500-lines limitation is specific to licensing. Make sure that the Mach3 that you are using does not show "Demo" at the top of the screen. You can also confirm this in the help->about. If you are using a license that was purchased through this website, or from Machsupport.com, you should be fine.
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i have a licence but mach 3 not work above the 500 lines
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[575] Although i have licensed mach, when i use that particular board it seems to run only 500 lines of code, how can i fix that? i
I would recommend using a wireless pendant, like here: (Affiliate link)
I use this pendant on my machine and works quite well. If you have communication issues from the pendant to the dongle, there may be too much interference surrounding the dongle, and exposing the internal antenna works well. This is something I needed to do.
I am not sure of the resolution for the PWM output for spindle speed control. However, if you are worried about getting the exact speed you need, 8-bit will provide 256 levels of increments. This translates roughly to a change of 94 RPM from one increment to another. Remember to provide some inductance and shielding to the signal lines so you won't get fluctuations in speed.
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[575] my axises X,Y,Z will all light green along with my soft limit switch button. When hitting REF ALL HOME no axis move and all my DROs go back to ZERO
There are 4 separate input terminals on the controller. However, you can add an unlimited number of sensors and switches to these inputs using a parallel wiring scheme for normally open circuits and a serial wiring scheme for normally closed circuits.
Check out this video where I explain these wiring schemes in detail:
Make sure that the spindle motor output pin is not interfering with the signal. Go to config -> ports and pins -> motor outputs, at the bottom of the table, there will be a line for spindle. Make sure that spindle line item is disabled.
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I disabled the spindle port and I am still only able to activate port 3 and get 24v and even there when I enter m5 the voltage bounces all over the place. The other outputs read all over the place whether they have been designated as the spindle on the spindle settings tab
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I tried wiring a relay to each of the outputs and only out3 was able to activate the relay
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[575] I connected this to 24v power supply and only out3 will show 24v when activated the other 3 read 300+v whether activated or not
The Mach3 100 kHz controller may be able to support the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode, but I have not tried it. There is no information in the documentation that is related to the parameter that can be set in Mach3 for the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode. You may be able to play with the available kHz ranges that the plugin allows to see if there is a pulse width that meets the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode specification.
The Mach3 USB controller is specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with Mach3's CNC control software. Easel, on the other hand, offers an all-in-one CAD/CAM solution along with machine control capabilities. While Easel can output standard G-code compatible with industry-standard post-processors, it can serve as a design tool when used in conjunction with Mach3 but not as the machine control software.
The output current for the Mach3 USB Interface Board is 50mA. These outputs are generally not designed to handle heavy loads like Spindle Governor Relays (SGRs).
If your SGR requires a hefty current. Attempting to directly switch it using just the Mach3 USB Interface Board would not be a good idea. In that case, using your existing C36 rev1.1 board as an intermediary is the way to go. That board can handle higher currents and will act as a buffer, ensuring that the Mach3 USB Interface Board doesn't get overwhelmed.
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[575] How much current can the outputs handle? I want to know if I can directly switch my SGR or if I have to go through the existing C36 rev1.1 board first.
This controller lacks the capability for backlash compensation. While software or signal-based adjustments are feasible, they are far from optimal if the controller natively supports backlash compensation. The most effective way to address backlash is through the mechanical components of the machine itself.
In theory, utilizing a 5V reference in the 10V terminal of the Mach3 USB controller should yield functional results, although I haven't personally tested this configuration. If you possess an oscilloscope, you can monitor the PWM signal to verify whether the AVI output achieves a peak 5V PWM square wave.
You have the ability to designate the 4th axis, commonly known as the A-axis, for rotary indexing operations when using a Mach3 USB controller.
To achieve this in Mach3, you'll need to:
Open the Mach3 software.
Navigate to "Config" and then to "Ports and Pins."
Go to the "Motor Outputs" tab.
Enable the A-axis and assign the respective Step and Direction pins.
Save your settings and exit the "Ports and Pins" dialog.
To calibrate the A-axis, go to "Settings" and use the "Set Steps Per Unit" option.