Mach 3 help

[bobby milam]

Got a new Chinese machine and having problems configuring the set up in Mach 3. I was wondering if there was anyone in the Dallas area running Mach 3 that might have some time to let me come by and figure it out. I’ve been trying to configure it on my days off for a week and can’t quite get it 100% configured.

[Gary Campbell]

Bobby...
Some of the Chinese machines that ship with Mach have a hacked/cloned version that may not be fully functional compared to a licensed US version.

[bobby milam]

I kind of figured that they hacked this one. I’m going to contact Mach 3 and buy a license but this isn’t an issue of it not functioning properly, it is really my lack of knowledge on how to choose the correct settings. Tech support in China have said that they would set it up but I have to get an internet connection to my garage so they can access the computer. I am sure that when I can get that done they can help with that but was hoping to just learn a little more about Mach3 also.

[Gary Campbell]

Why don't you install a Centroid Acorn on the machine? Lots of help for you on the centroidcncforum(dot)com. There's an Acorn section

[bobby milam]

I’m not opposed to it as I have to learn whatever I go with. Just don’t know how difficult it would be in switching over. I do have some documentation on machine but not sure if I have enough to make an easy switch. I will look into it. I kind of had that as a backup plan because I hear Chinese machines can have problems in Mach 3.

[Gary Campbell]

Bobby...
Don't have any answers for you, but a few questions:
Does having a US made control software and matching hardware sound good to you?
How about a forum dedicated to the DIY crowd? Numerous Chinese machines are being done, including by myself
Would you rather use software written 2018 for current computers or one written in '05 to '07?
How about a control software where the bugs get fixed and has been in use on high end machines since '86?

There are more, ask them on the forum to guys that have switched from Mach 3

[Jim Becker]

Gary speaks wisely, Bobby. ;) The software is ultimately what makes the machine!

[Bill George]

How large is the machine?

Is or does it
have either a USB or CAT5 Ethernet connection?

The seller can sent you the setup file via email, he does Not need to connect to your computer!

There is also a Mach Support Forum, have you tried it? There is also a PDF manual. Do not buy a Mach license until you answer those questions above. If its just a plain O parallel port controller, consider the
Acorn.

[bobby milam]

Gary, I understand. My wife is getting upset with me constantly telling her I am buying something else for the machine right after buying it. I’ll think about it and compare the two connections. They did a good job of labeling every connection so maybe changing would be easy.

Bill, it is a 4X8 machine. It connects to the motion board with usb. I downloaded the manual for reference. I really dislike their forum. Their search feature hasn’t been working in quite awhile and I haven’t registered for it. As far as the seller, they gave me set up files but they are a little vague and I found they had them online and they’re both different. I think they just wanted to do it the easier way and go into it and configure it for me. Ill see what happens this weekend when I am home. If it works then I will try it for a while and consider it. If not then I’ll order the acorn.

[Bill George]

All you need is the file referenced like here and it can be set in an email > https://www.cncrouterparts.com/mach-3-xml-files-p-161.html Once you get that file its just copy and paste into the Mach3/4 folder.

I am guessing the motion control board is a Chinese knock off paired with a standard Mach3/4 breakout board. Have you paid these people yet?

[bobby milam]

Yes I have paid for the machine. They did send files to copy and paste into Mach3 but they are several different files. I don’t think that is that they are trying to not give me files or that anything is wrong with the Mach3. I’m sure it is just me not knowing what I am doing that is why they said it would be easier if they just accessed it and set everything up for me. I’ve been watching videos but even those some show different things to do so it is a little hard to take it all in and understand. That’s why I was hoping to find someone in my area who wouldn’t mind letting me see them operate the software so I can ask questions that I am unable to on videos.

The seller and manufacturer have have been helpful. I can’t say anything bad about them. It is me that is having issues on learning. My last machine didn’t have an operating system to have to learn. It was a simple load file set zero and machine. This is like having to learn a foreign language.

[Jim Becker]

Bobby, this sounds more like an initial commissioning/initial configuration issue rather than something that you'd be doing normally on a regular basis. Machines using Mach 3/4 or WinCNC or Acorn don't normally require the operator to know a whole lot of things to use the CNC machine. Commissioning/initial configuration would be hard for most of us, quite honestly. Personally...I'd find a way to give them access at least temporarily and let them get things running for you. Of course, I'd also seriously consider having Gary do an Acorn setup for the reasons he already stated. :)

[bobby milam]

I ordered what I need to get WiFi out there and will let them do it then shut the WiFi down. Acorn sounds good but financially, I can’t justify it at this time after all the other expenses that I shelled out and am about to to get this up and running. If Mach 3 proves to be an issue then I will address it sooner otherwise it will be on a list of to do things

[Steve Jenkins]

Sounds like you’re on the way Bobby. Sorry I wasn’t any help but enjoyed talking with you.

[Bill George]

Yes I have paid for the machine. They did send files to copy and paste into Mach3 but they are several different files. I don’t think that is that they are trying to not give me files or that anything is wrong with the Mach3. I’m sure it is just me not knowing what I am doing that is why they said it would be easier if they just accessed it and set everything up for me. I’ve been watching videos but even those some show different things to do so it is a little hard to take it all in and understand. That’s why I was hoping to find someone in my area who wouldn’t mind letting me see them operate the software so I can ask questions that I am unable to on videos.

The seller and manufacturer have have been helpful. I can’t say anything bad about them. It is me that is having issues on learning. My last machine didn’t have an operating system to have to learn. It was a simple load file set zero and machine. This is like having to learn a foreign language.

The xxxxx.XML file contains all the info you should need. If they sent more than one of those files did you ask which one you should use? Dropping a new XML file in, overrides the one already there. Yes you can go through a generic copy of Mach3 and modify it all by hand but why? You will need to learn how to operate the screens for loading code and the like but I am guessing its going to be more or less the same for the Acorn.

[richard newman]

Bobby, there must be lots of folks using Mach 3 in the Dallas area. Did you try posting on cnczone for someone to help you? Or on the Mach 3 forum?

I'm getting by just fine with Mach 3, but would much rather have Acorn, but can't afford it now

[bobby milam]

Well, never found anyone in the area and rather than trying to learn Mach 3 now and then have to relearn Acorn, I took gary's advise and bought a computer today and am ordering the Acorn kit. Hopefully it will go smoother than the Mach 3 set up.

[Jim Becker]

I look forward to you documenting the changeover, Bobby. I'm betting that the machine physically is pretty darn good and adding the more modern control setup should put you in a good place going forward. It's only money... :) :D LOL

[Bill George]

And after Dinking around with Mach3 setup trying to get my VFD to run my spindle speed, I may just switch over also. Its getting old.

[Bill George]

Bobby did you get it Running!!?? I am almost done with mine, bad BoB interface to ESS and I am on the Home Stretch now.

[bobby milam]

Not yet. I have zero experience with wiring these things up and have been doing a lot of research online and taking it slow to make sure that I don't make any mistakes. Don't want to ruin the Acorn board. Part of my problem is that they don't have schematics for my exact drives. I've been told of another schematic that should work but I've been doing more staring at the machine and trying to trace the original wiring than actually connecting anything yet.

If I had more confidence in wiring and reading the schematics, I'd be finished by now. Learning everything from trial and error.

[Bill George]

Stepper motor driver or servos? Most stepper motor drivers are pretty much the same. I had forgotten you were switching from Mach3 to the Acorn.

[bobby milam]

Stepper motors.

[Bill George]

Stepper motors.

But the problem I see now is you do not know if it ran on the existing power supply and stepper driver. Here is a place to start > http://www.leadshine.com/producttypes.aspx?type=products&category=stepper-products&producttype=stepper-drives or do a google to find the info the Drives you have.

Basically 4 wires out to the stepper motor, then Step and Direction signals which connect to your controller. Those last ones should be the only one you need to change. It would be nice to have your Mach3 loaded and running the XML file they sent you so you can look at the steps and motor tuning.

[bobby milam]

Yeah, I know it ran on the existing stuff. I picked it up from an importer so I got to see it operate before I bought it. Unfortunately, they used their laptop and I had to furnish my own computer. I finally went out tonight and started really working on it and got most of it wired up. I made it seem more difficult than it was inside my own head. I just have to find out where 4 wires for the spindle go and waiting on a db25 breakout board to connect the drives. My next day off I should have it wired up and get to connect to the power and check all the voltage readings then I'll get started on tuning which reading part of the manual seems to be fairly easy in Acorn.

Now I have a little understanding about how it is wired up, I am pretty sure that I could have gotten the mach3 up and going but I'm pretty happy about going to Acorn anyway so I don't mind.

[Bill George]

You will be just fine. The Acorn is a good choice and figuring out the steps and motor tuning will be a trial and error to get it where you want it. If you can load Mach3 and then add in the XML file they sent you can get info off that as a place to start. Acorn has a wonderful support forum and you are not the only one in the world with that machine!

I did a Mill-Drill years ago but it was not Mach3 and with the internet I was able to research and get it running. Used Gecko drives and there is a wealth of information on his website. He even covers stepper set up.

I have my spindle working and running off Mach3 control thanks to the folks at CNCRP and Warp9. Your spindle only has 3 power wires as its 3 phase, the other wire is for the ground.