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Question #: 15543

Question: [Mach3 USB Interface Board] Will this board operate a laser cutter and engraver

Current Solution

You can adapt the Mach3 USB controller to control a laser, but I would not recommend it. A traditional laser controller that is designed to control a laser is far better since you can take advantage of more sophisticated features like sweep for engraving, and automatic adjustment of laser intensity for acceleration and deceleration. The Mach3 USB controller can move the axes and turn the laser on and off, but intensity control and engraving are not an option.

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Other Possible Solutions to this Question

  • [575] Does this board support indexing on mach3 turn? Planning to use it on a lathe and will do threading jobs

    You have the ability to designate the 4th axis, commonly known as the A-axis, for rotary indexing operations when using a Mach3 USB controller.

    To achieve this in Mach3, you'll need to:

    Open the Mach3 software.
    Navigate to "Config" and then to "Ports and Pins."
    Go to the "Motor Outputs" tab.
    Enable the A-axis and assign the respective Step and Direction pins.
    Save your settings and exit the "Ports and Pins" dialog.
    To calibrate the A-axis, go to "Settings" and use the "Set Steps Per Unit" option.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Does this board support indexing on mach3 turn? Planning to use it on a lathe and will do threading jobs

  • [575] Could thi board be used for a plasma cutter with THC?

    I have had no success with this controller paired with a THC
    (Torch Height Controller) for plasma cutting. I would instead recommend the pokeys57CNC controller and the PlasmaSense and PlasmaSensOut THC controllers.

    https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

    https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-plasma-thc-plasmasenseoutandplasmasense

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Could thi board be used for a plasma cutter with THC?

  • WILL THE LASER ENGRAVER WORK ON NON-ANODIZED ALUMINUM

    no, it will only work on anodized aluminum

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WILL THE LASER ENGRAVER WORK ON NON-ANODIZED ALUMINUM

  • Hi, I live in Australia and am looking at purchasing the Blacktooth laser cutter and engraver. I am wondering what the cost to ship to Australia would be?

    You can use our shopping cart to determine the shipping. Add the machine and the parts you want to purchase, enter your shipping address and click on the Calculate Shipping Button to get a price for shipping. The shipping charges are determined directly from the carriers at the time of pressing that button.

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    Hi, I live in Australia and am looking at purchasing the Blacktooth laser cutter and engraver. I am wondering what the cost to ship to Australia would be?

  • [575] Hi, Can I use this board with a closed loop stepper?

    Yes, this CNC controller can be used with closed-loop stepper drivers and motors. The loop for control and feedback is between the driver and the motor. The closed-loop driver receives step and direction signals, which this controller will output which furnishes the driver with the necessary signals to move the motor. Additionally, the closed-loop driver can output a fault signal to this controller through the controller's input terminals in case the motor should encounter a situation that prevents the motor from moving so the CNC can shut down.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Hi, Can I use this board with a closed loop stepper?

  • [575] I have a 64 bit Windows 11 laptop. Will this interface board work with this? If not is there an option you can suggest.

    Yes, the Mach3 USB controller will work with the latest Windows version and in 64-bit mode. The 32-bit mode is only relevant for using the parallel port driver if you are using a parallel port breakout board. Since this controller is connected via a USB cable, the 64-bit state will work fine.

    Additional Information:
    mach3 not showing in device manager

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] I have a 64 bit Windows 11 laptop. Will this interface board work with this? If not is there an option you can suggest.

  • As I am building my 20" x 24" laser engraver cutter, I notice that there is no parallel port on the onboard computer and I have the parallel breakout board any answers?

    Most motherboard do contain parallel ports, but the port connector may not be at the back (in the section where external connectors will be connected). Instead, the motherboard may contain an LPT ribbon connector on the actual face of the motherboard (usually along one of the edges). You will need a ribbon connector to a DB25 female connector.

    If your motherboard does not contain an LPT header on the motherboard, you can purchase a parallel printer adapter that plugs into one of the PCI slots. The price of the adapter is very inexpensive and sometimes is actually less costly than the actual ribbon connector.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    As I am building my 20" x 24" laser engraver cutter, I notice that there is no parallel port on the onboard computer and I have the parallel breakout board any answers?

  • [575] Can this board drive two (2) Y-motors? Design uses 1 X, 2 Y, and 1 Z motor. The schematic has X, Y, Z

    You can use this board to have two motors/drivers on a single axis.

    You have two solutions for this:

    Wire the YP and TD to two drivers so they are receiving the same pulses and direction signals from the controller (if you need the motors to turn in opposite directions, just swap the A and B coils where the motor connects to the driver for one of the drivers/motors). This will free up an axis on the board.

    Use the Mach3 slaave axis option where you resolve the two motors on a single axis by software. This will require you to use the extra axis on the board.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Can this board drive two (2) Y-motors? Design uses 1 X, 2 Y, and 1 Z motor. The schematic has X, Y, Z

  • [575] Hello. Does this USB interface board thc? I have the proma 150.

    I do not recommend using the Mach3 USB controller to be used with a torch height controller. There are only 4 inputs on the Mach3 USB controller. We have tried to interface a Proma THC to this board without success; however, we did not exhaust all possibilities.

    I would recommend the Pokeys57CNC controller to connect the Proma THC as I have interfaced these two before and they work well together.
    https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Hello. Does this USB interface board thc? I have the proma 150.

  • [575] How connect one spindle encoder on this White Eagle Mach3 board ????

    This controller does not have an encoder input for the spindle. The controller can output a PWM signal which causes the spindle VFD to spin at a specific RPM. That RPM is shown in Mach3 as long as the configuration has been applied properly. You can also calibrate the RPM of the spindle to match the RPM shown in Mach3 with the use of a tachometer and adjust the configuration in Mach3.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] How connect one spindle encoder on this White Eagle Mach3 board ????

  • [575] Will the Mach3 USB interface board support other software such as Easel?

    The Mach3 USB controller is specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with Mach3's CNC control software. Easel, on the other hand, offers an all-in-one CAD/CAM solution along with machine control capabilities. While Easel can output standard G-code compatible with industry-standard post-processors, it can serve as a design tool when used in conjunction with Mach3 but not as the machine control software.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Will the Mach3 USB interface board support other software such as Easel?

  • [575] Will this work with Mach4. I,m thinking to upgrade from Mach3.

    The Mach3 USB will not work with Mach4. Consider the Pokeys57CNC controller instead. The Pokeys57CNC controller will work with Mach3 or Mach4 and contains more features than most CNC machines need, including 8 motor outputs, 4 onboard relays, limit home and probe inputs, galvanically isolated outputs, and much more.
    https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] Will this work with Mach4. I,m thinking to upgrade from Mach3.

  • [575] The older B.O.B. needed a charge pump as an added safety feature, does this U.S.B. board need a charge pump?

    The pulse stream is output directly from the onboard microcontroller on the Mach3 USB controller, so there is no need for a safety charge pump from the computer to the controller. Parallel port breakout boards were connected to the computer via GPIO pins (General Purpose Input/Output) and each pin dedicated to the step pulse would be output directly from those pins. In that case, a safety charge pump was needed.

    Additional Information:
    20

    Additional Information:
    20

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] The older B.O.B. needed a charge pump as an added safety feature, does this U.S.B. board need a charge pump?

  • [575] I connected this to 24v power supply and only out3 will show 24v when activated the other 3 read 300+v whether activated or not

    Make sure that the spindle motor output pin is not interfering with the signal. Go to config -> ports and pins -> motor outputs, at the bottom of the table, there will be a line for spindle. Make sure that spindle line item is disabled.

    Additional Information:
    I disabled the spindle port and I am still only able to activate port 3 and get 24v and even there when I enter m5 the voltage bounces all over the place. The other outputs read all over the place whether they have been designated as the spindle on the spindle settings tab

    Additional Information:
    I tried wiring a relay to each of the outputs and only out3 was able to activate the relay

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] I connected this to 24v power supply and only out3 will show 24v when activated the other 3 read 300+v whether activated or not

  • [575] how do i connect a lathe spindle speed encoder to this usb breakout board controller so i can set up for thread cutting on my lathe and on the mill for threading

    This controller does not have an encoder input to determine the speed of a lathe spindle. The Pokeys57CNC does have an available encoder input.
    https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] how do i connect a lathe spindle speed encoder to this usb breakout board controller so i can set up for thread cutting on my lathe and on the mill for threading

  • I have a blacktooth laser engraver. The Y Axis stepper motor needs to be replaced. Can you please provide me with the information I would need to replace this motor.

    Yes, if you need a replacement part on your machine please call us at 281-815-7701.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    I have a blacktooth laser engraver. The Y Axis stepper motor needs to be replaced. Can you please provide me with the information I would need to replace this motor.

  • HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO BUILD THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER?

    The blackTooth Laser cutter and Engraver can be built in a weekend. Take a look at the build instructions and try to determine if you feel you have sufficient capability to put together the laser system.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO BUILD THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER?

  • WHAT SOFTWARE CAN BE USED WITH THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER?

    If you take the standard parallel cable BoB (Break Out Board), then you will need control software (Mach 3 or EMC2) and CAM software to make your G-Code (such as CamBam). Personally I use CamBam and Mach 3, they work beautifully but don't expect to turn them on and know how they work out of the box. Give yourself a few weeks to get familiar with the basics. CamBam is VERY powerful software for it's price. I'm surprised how much I keep learning on what I can do with it...I highly recommend it if you want as much control as possible.

    Mach 3 + CamBam as a bundle costs $310. EMC2 will give you a free replacement for Mach 3 and is exclusively for Linux.

    If you use the USB BoB, it will cost an extra $75 + $75 for the software. This is an all-in-one package so no need for Mach 3 or CamBam.

    For etching rasters (jpeg, bmp, tiff, non-vectors, photos), I highly recommend PicEngrave. It has been a labor of love for the past 9 years and John has done a wonderful job with it. It easily compares in quality compared to software that is in the $200-$300 range. John's software runs $40 and can be found here: http://picengrave.com/ (don't let the modest website fool you, this stuff can do amazing things). DotG and the Mach3 engrave plugin are two other options and instructions can be found on Dustans page in the gallery on buildyourcnc.com website.

    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:



    Additional Information:

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    WHAT SOFTWARE CAN BE USED WITH THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER?

  • [575] I have motor control boards that have 4 pin input ( Step, Dir, EN, +5V) how do I connect this USB board?

    Connect the XD to the Dir, XP to the Step, and the 5V on the Mach3 USB controller to the +5V.

    Click the link to add information to this solution:
    [575] I have motor control boards that have 4 pin input ( Step, Dir, EN, +5V) how do I connect this USB board?

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