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Question #: 13983

Question: Will Mach 4 work on the Controller board that is meant to run Mach 3?

Current Solution

The Mach3 USB board found here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Is not designed to work under Mach4. The Mach3 USB uses a plug-in in Mach3 to function as an interpreter, sending pulses and signals to electronics from commands sent to the board from Mach3. This plugin would need to be updated to be able to work under Mach4 but the board manufacturer would need to do this update. So far, there is no plug-in that will work for Mach4 and this board.

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Other Possible Solutions to this Question

  • I am interested in using the Mach3 USB interface board. I was wondering if there was a way to run a torch height controller with this board for use with a plasma cutter, and if so do you know of any THCs that will work. Thank you.

    Yes, you can connect a THC, Torch Height Controller, with the Mach3 USB controller. The THC uses the inputs to determine if the z axis needs to move up or down according to the arc of the plasma torch. The THC connects its outputs to the inputs of the controller so the controller will be informed of the states of the plasma torch.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I am interested in using the Mach3 USB interface board. I was wondering if there was a way to run a torch height controller with this board for use with a plasma cutter, and if so do you know of any THCs that will work. Thank you.

  • I am installing a mach 3 usb controller into a wright cnc plasma table and I need instruction on wiring the thc (proma compact ) torch height controller to this board. IE will this board work to replace the parallel port board with usb controller board?

    Yes, you can connect a THC, Torch Height Controller, with the Mach3 USB controller. The THC uses the inputs to determine if the z axis needs to move up or down according to the arc of the plasma torch. The THC connects its outputs to the inputs of the controller so the controller will be informed of the states of the plasma torch.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I am installing a mach 3 usb controller into a wright cnc plasma table and I need instruction on wiring the thc (proma compact ) torch height controller to this board. IE will this board work to replace the parallel port board with usb controller board?

  • Is there any other software that will work with your controller Mach3?

    The mach3 control software will work with all major CAM software (CAMBAM, Aspire and Vectric, BobCAD/CAM, ArtCAM, Dolphin CAM, CAM software that integrate with SolidWorks and AutoDesk Inventor, and many more).

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Is there any other software that will work with your controller Mach3?

  • Is there a way to use an X,Y plate that will only be responsible for corner finding in Mach3 with the Mach3 USB controller?

    Yes, you can use a corner plate very easily. You will want to make a corner plate that has three independent plates that do not conduct with each other. Each of these plates will be connected to a different input (i.e. IN1 for X, IN2 for Y and IN3 for Z). The end mill or tool that is inserted into the spindle will connect to V- of the 24V power supply, or the DCM on the controller, which is connected to the 24V V-. Then, you can use the ref all home button on the program run screen of Mach3.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Is there a way to use an X,Y plate that will only be responsible for corner finding in Mach3 with the Mach3 USB controller?

  • I recently purchased 3 axis electronics with the USB controller board. I'm trying to install an E-stop switch. Where do I connect that on the controller board?

    There are many ways to wire an emergency stop switch. The simplest, and arguably the most certain, way is to wire the switch into the incoming power so that throwing the switch kills all power to every part of the machine. Here is a diagram showing how a customer wired such a switch on their blackTooth laser which you could adapt to your needs. http://www.buildyourtools.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4872

    Alternatively, you could use an input pin on your USB board. The wiring would depend on whether and how you might be using limit switches (single or multiple switches; normally open or normally closed). Our website datasheet for the USB board is at https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/ and shows how to configure the switches for each set up. If you use this method, you'd essentially wire the e-stop as a limit switch.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I recently purchased 3 axis electronics with the USB controller board. I'm trying to install an E-stop switch. Where do I connect that on the controller board?

  • I recently purchased 3 axis electronics with the USB controller board. I'm trying to install an E-stop switch. Where do I connect that on the controller board?

    There are many ways to wire an emergency stop switch. The simplest, and arguably the most certain, way is to wire the switch into the incoming power so that throwing the switch kills all power to every part of the machine. Here is a diagram showing how a customer wired such a switch on their blackTooth laser which you could adapt to your needs. http://www.buildyourtools.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4872

    Alternatively, you could use an input pin on your USB board. The wiring would depend on whether and how you might be using limit switches (single or multiple switches; normally open or normally closed). Our website datasheet for the USB board is at https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/ and shows how to configure the switches for each set up. If you use this method, you'd essentially wire the e-stop as a limit switch.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I recently purchased 3 axis electronics with the USB controller board. I'm trying to install an E-stop switch. Where do I connect that on the controller board?

  • Will the Mach 3 USB breakout board work with a Windows 7 64 bit system?

    I don't see why Mach3 under windows 64-bit wouldn't work with an interface that uses USB as it's primary communication method. I am a bit vague on this, so I will do more research on it.

    We recommend Mach3 run under Windows 32-bit when using the parallel interface as this is a legacy function.

    Additional Information:


    Additional Information:
    mach 3 usb board setup

    Additional Information:
    I am running Mach3 under Windows 7 Pro 64bit without any problems.

    Additional Information:


    Additional Information:


    Additional Information:
    Are you also able to use the parallel port as your controller on the WINDOWS 7 64bit OS?

    Additional Information:
    Are you also able to use the parallel port as your controller on the WINDOWS 7 64bit OS?

    Additional Information:
    Are you also able to use the parallel port as your controller on the WINDOWS 7 64bit OS?

    Additional Information:
    Are you also able to use the parallel port as your controller on the WINDOWS 7 64bit OS?

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Will the Mach 3 USB breakout board work with a Windows 7 64 bit system?

  • [410] Will this work with the OneFinity Elite series with the MASSO controller?

    Yes, this 4th axis system will work with the Masso controller. The 4th axis has a standard stepper motor. You will need a driver between the Masso controller and the stepper motor.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [410] Will this work with the OneFinity Elite series with the MASSO controller?

  • I ordered the Mach 3 usb controller board on the 1st and I have not received an order conformation or shipping confirmation. My account was charged however.

    The most likely issue here is that your email did not save in our system. Please email us to determine your shipping status and tracking number at customerservice@buildyourcnc.com

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I ordered the Mach 3 usb controller board on the 1st and I have not received an order conformation or shipping confirmation. My account was charged however.

  • Any timing on the USB Controller board for Mach-4

    The board has been developed and we are currently waiting to receive developer info from the makers of Mach4 so we can proceed with testing compatibility. There is no definite time frame but we are hopeful it will be released within the next couple months.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Any timing on the USB Controller board for Mach-4

  • How can I connect the Pokeys57CNC controller to a DRV8825 / A4988 expansion board?

    The DRV8825 driver IC by TI (Texas Instruments) has two main connections called STEP and DIR. These are the two main connections that you need to use to connect to the Pokeys57CNC controller. You also need to connect the positive digital voltage pin (5V) from the Pokeys57CNC controller's motor connector to both the reset and sleep pins. The GND pin from the Pokeys57CNC motor connector is connected to the GND pin of the DRV8825 driver. The enable pin of the DRV88525 can remain unconnected.

    There is a trimmer potentiometer on the DRV8825 that can increase or decrease the amperage setting for the motor. Depending on the DRV8825 board you purchased, there may be two pads to determine the amp setting while turning the trimmer (in the voltage setting on your multimeter).

    The A1 and A2 is connected to one of the motor's coils and B1 and B2 is connected to the other motor's coil. There is a pin on the DRV8825 called VMOT that you will connect to the power supply (max 45VDC) and the GND pin next to the VMOT is the V- for the same power supply.

    I hope this helps. If not, please add additional information on this thread.

    Additional Information:
    I followed (to the best of my ability) the instructions provided to my original question, but I did not receive successful results. When I followed the instructions and connected the ground pin from the Pokeys57CNC motor connector to the DRV8825 / A4988 expansion board, it stops the communication between the Pokeys57CNC board & the motors 1-3 that I had working previously. The DRV8825 / A4988 expansion board will be the fourth driver I am connecting to the Pokeys57CNC. The previous three drivers are PoStep-60's if that helps understand the issue.

    Prior to hooking up the ground pin (I used pin 10 from the Pokeys57CNC motor connector) to the DRV8825 / A4988 expansion boards ground pin, I was able to see the power being applied via the red LED being illuminated on the DRV8825 board; after this new configuration the light is not turning on.

    With the new recommended setup, I used a heat shrink solder piece to add the shunt for the connection to the sleep pin. The connection to the sleep pin is where I believe my issues are stemming from. I must be connecting it to the incorrect pin (within the 9 pin layout on the DRV8825 / A4988 expansion board). Do you have any reference to the 9 pin pinout on the A4988 expansion board? I double checked the pinout provided on the Texas Instruments page, but it only gives clarity to the pinouts on the DRV8825 board itself. After reviewing their documentation, I tried connecting the 5v (pin 9 from the Pokeys57CNC motor connection that's split to connect with the reset pin on the DRV8825 / A4988) wire directly to the terminal on the DRV8825 board and that didn't work either.

    Any help or clarification you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    How can I connect the Pokeys57CNC controller to a DRV8825 / A4988 expansion board?

  • Is there a kit or actual product that can be wired into the Mach3 controller to give me virtual zero

    The mach3 control software will work with all major CAM software (CAMBAM, Aspire and Vectric, BobCAD/CAM, ArtCAM, Dolphin CAM, CAM software that integrate with SolidWorks and AutoDesk Inventor, and many more).

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Is there a kit or actual product that can be wired into the Mach3 controller to give me virtual zero

  • I have your Mach3 usb interface board and am interested in the relay board to turn plasma torch on/off. I have a different relay board that doesn't work, it needs 0/5v from output pin to trigger and the usb board doesn't put out 5 volts. Does this relay board need 5v on output or will work fine with this usb controller?

    The Mach3 USB interface board requires 24V relays externally. There are no relays on the mach3 usb board. If you use an external relay on the mach3 usb board, the relay connects to the V+ which is 24V and the output pin is the return.

    Additional Information:
    I understand what you are saying. Does your relay board work with the Mach3 USB board? If not, what relay board do you suggest to work with this usb controller?

    Additional Information:
    Our relay board works with our parallel breakout board. An off the shelf SSR (Solid State Relay) made for 24V should work fine.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I have your Mach3 usb interface board and am interested in the relay board to turn plasma torch on/off. I have a different relay board that doesn't work, it needs 0/5v from output pin to trigger and the usb board doesn't put out 5 volts. Does this relay board need 5v on output or will work fine with this usb controller?

  • I have a 3 axis combo w/ parallel breakout board. Will this work with Mach 4?

    Our electronics kits with the parallel breakout board will work with Mach 4, however you will need to purchase the Legacy Driver for Mach 4 to work with our breakout board.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I have a 3 axis combo w/ parallel breakout board. Will this work with Mach 4?

  • Does the Pokeys57CNC controller support Auto-Squaring in Mach 4?

    Yes, PoKeys57CNC does support auto gantry squaring if both master and slave axes are equipped with home switches independently.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Does the Pokeys57CNC controller support Auto-Squaring in Mach 4?

  • Does the Pokeys57CNC controller support Auto-Squaring in Mach 4?

    Yes, PoKeys57CNC does support auto gantry squaring if both master and slave axes are equipped with home switches independently.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Does the Pokeys57CNC controller support Auto-Squaring in Mach 4?

  • Does your 3 axis comboi have the same controller board (i.e. parallel option) as the 4 axis combo?

    Yes, you can select the price option for the electronics combos that include the interface board you desire.

    Go to the electronics category page:
    https://www.buildyourcnc.com/electronicscombo.aspx

    Select the motors and drivers combination you desire and select the price option that contains the interface card you desire.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Does your 3 axis comboi have the same controller board (i.e. parallel option) as the 4 axis combo?

  • does the mach3 usb controller interface board support the M11/M10 command set

    The Mach3 USB controller will work with M3/M4/M5 or M7/M8/M9 combinations. M10/M11 is not available with the controller.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    does the mach3 usb controller interface board support the M11/M10 command set

  • Will the redleaf package allow me to run a torch height controller and 2 nema 34 motors for my gantry? I would prefer to have motors on both sides of the machine with a heavy gantry

    Yes, the redLeaf plug-and-play CNC electronics can include a THC (Torch Height Controller) and motors of any size. The limit of the number of motors that this package can include is 8 motors in total.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Will the redleaf package allow me to run a torch height controller and 2 nema 34 motors for my gantry? I would prefer to have motors on both sides of the machine with a heavy gantry

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