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-...les-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.