WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MACH3 AND MACH4?

Standard Version Features Mach3 Mach4 Hobby Mach4 Industrial Number of Planners 1 1 1 Number of Axis 6 6 6 Out of Band Axis (OBA) 0 1 6 Slave axis (uses up coordinated axes) 3 N/A N/A Slave motors (does not use up coordinated axes) N/A 4 per Axis 4 per Axis API Interface - Open to All Hardware Yes Yes Yes Extended Plugin Support Yes Yes Yes User customizable GUI Yes Yes Yes Unified (GUI) Interface - PLC, CNC, etc.. Yes Yes Unlimited IO Yes Yes Yes Modbus PLC Yes Yes Yes PMC (Ladder Logic addressing for cnc/plc) Yes Yes Unlimited File Size Yes Yes Tool Path Display Yes Yes Yes Tool Path Speed & Quality Low High High Scripting - Customization Yes Yes Yes LUA Scripting - simple, fast, cross-platform Yes Yes - Lua sockets (ftp, http, smtp,..) Yes Yes - SSL (security layer) Yes Yes - LFS (manage large files and data storage) Yes Yes - Seriel port Yes Yes - Enraving of part numbers / serial numbering of parts Yes Yes - Plugin panel objects Yes Yes IPC Library for Data Sharing/tracking (Interprocess communication) Yes Yes Full Feature Screens/Controls Per Machine Type Yes Yes Currently Availabe: Mill, Router, Lathe, 3d Printer Yes Yes Multiple gcode Interpruters (Per Machine Type) Yes Yes Probing - Intergrated in standard screens Yes Yes Simulated 3d Machining (with additional plugin license) Yes Yes Tool Life Management (G10 L3 command) Yes Screw Mapping Yes Professional Screen Designer (advanced G.U.I.) Yes - Screen Animation Control Yes - Screen Integrated Tool Table Control Yes - Screen Integrated Work Offset Control Yes - Screen Integrated gcode editor Yes - Screen Artsoft Wizard Package Integration Yes Macro B gcode Programming (#variables) Yes - User definable gcodes via marco calls Yes - Macro Calls: G65, G66, G66.1 Yes - gcode via marco call (custom G codes via macro B) Yes - mcode via macro call (custom M codes via macro B) Yes - mcode via sub code (custom M code via sup program) Yes - Conditional gcodes Yes - set VN call - define variable names Yes gcode Editor Included Yes Scripted M code (custom M code via LUA script) Yes Yes Variable Speed Spindle Yes Yes Yes Spindle Relay Yes Yes Yes Coolant relay Yes Yes Yes Mist Relay Yes Yes Yes Threading Yes Yes Yes Rigid Tapping Yes Yes Yes Single Block Yes Yes Yes Block Delete Yes Yes Yes Optional Stop Yes Yes Yes MACH CNC CONTROL SOFTWARE MAIN FEATURES AND VERSION DIFFERENCES Standard Version Features Mach3 Mach4 Hobby Mach4 Industrial MACH CNC CONTROL SOFTWARE MAIN FEATURES AND VERSION DIFFERENCES Cutter Comp Yes Yes Yes Fanuc Type C Cutter Comp Yes Yes Fixture Offsets Yes Yes Yes G51 Scaling Yes Yes Yes G92 Offsets Yes Yes Yes G52 Offsets Yes Yes Yes Event Driven Yes Yes Multi Line MDI Yes Yes Subs In MDI Yes Yes OpenGL Optimization Yes Yes Multi-platform OS Compatibility Option Yes Yes Online Support Yes Yes Yes Phone Support Option Available Yes Support Priority Yes Available to End Users as "Do-it-yourself" Yes Yes Summary - Mach3 versus Mach4 : Mach4 Hobby is the closest comparable version to Mach3, yet it is still much more advanced. The price point of these versions is nearly identical. Mach3 is very popular for hobby enthusiest and is used in highly modified form by some great OEM's. In general, Mach4 is more complex than Mach3 and follows cnc industry standards. Mach3 has many customizations to make it easier for hobby users, but can lead to difficulties if users plan to apply their knowledge to more advanced systems. Mach4 is built as a full featured cnc controller capable of high speed machining for servo and stepper systems. Mach3's feature set is complete, while Mach4's will continue to expand. If you are new to cnc, Artsoft highly recommends using and learning Mach4 even if it appears that Mach3's feature set will be adequate for your needs.