Mach 3 http://www.machsupport.com/software/mach3/ Mach3 turns a typical computer into a CNC machine controller. It is very rich in features and provides a great value to those needing a CNC control package. Mach3 works on most Windows PC’s to control the motion of motors (stepper & servo) by processing G-Code. While comprising many advanced features, it is the most intuitive CNC control software available. Mach3 is customizable and has been used for many applications with numerous types of hardware. Discuss all Mach 3 related topics here
Hi Guys, I have been using Mach3 for more than 10 years now (since it was Mach2) and it has always served me extremely well. Over these years there have been many developments in the available add-on hardware / motion controllers / versions of the Windows OS etc. etc. and Mach had always been revised to keep up with the pace of change. Something to be aware of… Since the introduction of Mach4 further development or revision of Mach3 has ceased and it is my understanding that no future changes will be made to Mach3’s coding to correct for any bugs or other problems that may be discovered in the future. Having said that, full support for the product will continue to be available through the Artsoft and CNC Zone forums for many years to come and as a result I am perfectly happy to continue using Mach3, with my machines, at least into the foreseeable future. I do have a licensed version of Mach4 installed but until such time as it fully emerges out of it’s beta stage it will not get used by me for any serious work. It has been a long time coming and I suspect it will be another couple of years or so before Mach4 is truly ready to take over from Mach3 in the hobby CNC world. Tweakie.
Hi Mark, I'm new at this site and need some help with programs, software, controllers ect... I've downloaded Autodesk Fusion 360 for design on my PC. I've also downloaded Mach 3 on my older PC that will be used as PC for my CNC machine out in my shop. My CNC steppers are 4 nema 23's. I was hoping down the road I could run a 4th axis. Therefore I've purchased xPro controller for my shop PC. I find out after the fact that it will not work with Mach 3. One of my questions is, do I send the xPro back or is there a solution? I only have a few weeks left if I were to return this item. I am not sure what I need to get my machine up and running. Can you help?
Hi All, I am using Mach 3 and a C-Beam. I wanted to know what would be a good guideline for the motor setup. In other words what should be the maximum mm/min setup as well as the acceleration. I am also using a 24.0 kg-cm (333.2 oz-in) Nema 23 motor. Thanks Steven
Hi Steven, Its difficult to be precise because, when it comes to maximum speed, a lot depends on the quality of the stepper motors and their drivers. I would start out by setting a maximum speed of 4500mm/min with an acceleration of 450mm/sec.sec. then adjust, as necessary, from there to obtain optimum performance. With acceleration the higher the value the better the performance (less rounding of corners in constant velocity mode) but the more the machine starts to shake around so it can be 'trial and error' to find the optimum. Tweakie.
Hi Mikie, If you want to use Mach3 then the XPro is of no use to you. On the other hand, why not use GRBL with the XPro ?? Tweakie.
Hi! Starting my first cnc project and trying to build electronics. Using breakout board (SainSmart 4 Axis Mach3 STB4100) and ST-40-45-A1 controllers. Everything looks working well, but when i loading sample g-code and run it, then only Y axis moves, slave A not moving at all? In jogging mode Y and A moves together and A reversed nicely. Are there special g-code needed to run on slave A? Thats not logical? Can someone help newbie?
Thank you for answering, but I have already made this setting. All works when i jogging. When I load arbitrary code, then A axis will not move.
Hello Experts, I discovered a strange behaviour in Mach3 when tuning my steppermotors. I used the 'Set Steps per Unit' option by traveling 1000mm. I measured the distance the machine traveled along the Y-axis and putted this figur in. Mach3 change the settings for the y-ax accordingly. no comes the problem. given a simple G-code in the ALT-2 screen: G0 Y1000, the Y-axis moves exactly 1000mm. So far so good. A new test: G0 Y750: tavel distance 756; G0 Y500 distance 511, G0 250 gives 258 mm and G0 Y0 gives exactly 0 again. so the only 2 which are correct is the tuning distance and the Zero. does anyone knows what is hapening here? or has had the same problems?
hola, perdon por la traduccion . Estoy buscando un consejo con cnc Tengo esta máquina CNC OpenBuilds OX cnc mi problema es que con arduino funciona bien al 95% Pero decidí cambiar a mach3 y no puedo configurar mach3. NEMA 23 La interfaz de motor + mach3 + tb6600 Ya probé varias configuraciones, pero el motor no responde, ¿qué puedo hacer? Gracias [ATTACH = full] 39573 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 39574 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 39574 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 39575 [/ ATTACH]
cnc placa .jpeg .Just bought that one . Did not have instructions on how to hook up the stepper motors and power connections.
Aqui otra vez hola estoy usando mach3 en cnc pero quiero unir un comentario láser que soy un aficionado el problema es que no sé cómo puedo conectar el láser tengo una tarjeta interfaz nach3 5 ejes pero repito no tengo claro las conexiones Espero que alguien pueda ayudar Gracias
Consider a more modern, easy to use solution. See https://docs.openbuilds.com/blackbox as a replacement
Hello if it is another option but considering that my economy is not going very well and that I already have the mach3 installed in cnc I only have to attach the laser I do not earn a living working with cnc is my hobby there is that my knowledge is limited that's why i ask for help thanks
Checkout mach3 5 axis breakout diode laser wiring - Google Search Which is exactly why we recommend the Easy to use BlackBox, which comes with great documentation, which tells you exactly to how wire a laser, https://docs.openbuilds.com/blackbox (see section 3.3.2 and 3.3.3) and also wiring Videos on our YouTube channel.
