Mach3 CNC Control Software

Do I need to install cadcam,and control software to test x,y,and z hardware when it is completely installed?

The driver and motor need a pulse train signal from the computer to move the motors, so it would be best to at least install the control software and use the jog feature to test the motors.

can't access Mach3 XML profile file. right click get "save link as" left click shows an error.

I am able to download the file with those instructions. What browser are you using? You can also email me at customerservice@gmail.com and I will email the file. Thanks!! Additional Information: I just made an instgram post on the instructions to get the file. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiibf9jzds/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Additional Information: Make sure the click the speaker icon to be enable sound on the Instagram post.

I have the AVR programmer USBasp. Should I download and use the sparkfun driver as your tutorial states?

I created videos that explain how to setup and install the USBasp here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtqGoaIFiQo&index=3&list=PLE72E4CFE73BD1DE1 Do not use the video that show the setup of the USBTiny. Also, use this video that continues the USBasp installation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPxgv2PXGw8&index=4&list=PLE72E4CFE73BD1DE1 Additional Information: Additional Information: Additional Information:

how much would a 6 foot 5 start lead screw cost?

The price of the 1/2" 5 start lead screw can be found here (units are in inches): https://buildyourcnc.com/item/mechanical-leadscrews-lead-screw-!5-5-starts-10-tpi I did not include the price for this answer since the price may change from time to time. For 6 feet of lead screw, the number of inches is 72, so simple multiple the price by 72. Additional Information: Additional Information: Additional Information:

How much is a 6 ft long 1/2" Lead screw

1/2" lead screw is sold per inch. If you desire to buy a 6 foot length of lead screw, please purchase a quantity of 72 inches (equivalent to 6 feet). Additional Information:

hi. i need a 3/8 screw of 78 inches how much does it cost and do you have it?

Our 3/8" lead screws are available at a maximum length of 72". A screw at that diameter is is not the best solution at long lengths for machines that will spin that axis quickly since there will be screw whipping.

If I purchase Mach3 will the license be put in my name?

Yes

i wanna chains the X with the Y assis how can i do this

Are you asking if you can change the X and Y axes? Please clarify. Additional Information: Yes i wanna chains the x with the y axes can i make this with the software ?????

I purchased Mach3 from buildyourcnc dont know what verson i need to use in VCarve as the processor. There are 8 2/3Mach listed

You will probably have post processors like the following listed: Mach2/3 ATC Arcs (inch) Mach2/3 ATC Arcs (mm) Mach2/3 Arcs (inch) Mach2/3 Arcs (mm) Mach2/3-WrapX2A ATC Arcs (inch) Mach2/3-WrapX2A ATC Arcs (mm) Mach2/3-WrapY2A ATC Arcs (inch) Mach2/3-WrapY2A ATC Arcs (mm) If you have an Automatic Tool Changer, use the post processor with the ATC in the name. For most applications and if you don't have an ATC (automatic tool changer), use the Mach2/3 Arcs (inch) or (mm) post processor. Additional Information:

i purchased a breakout board from you guy and the rnr motion control is messing with my license in mach 3 tech support at mach said it is the rnr software i need help to contact them and let them see what they can do to help

The RNRMotion driver will not conflict with the mach3 license. Make sure you have the RNRmotion driver in the plugins folder and the provided xml in the main mach3 folder. Also, make sure to have the mach3 license file in the mach3 folder. If you still experience problems, please give us a call.

I purchase blackfoot cnc machine 4.1 resecentily cnc mech 3 upectedily plunging.I will cut one part and its fine the second I notice that it upectedily plunges and I dont have clue.. please help.

If your CNC Router is plunging unexpectedly, it may be stalling in the upward movement. Check your velocity and acceleration for the z-axis. Recommended values for the blackFoot/blackToe CNC routers for acceleration and velocity is 80 ipm for velocity and 7 to 20 for acceleration. Test at the lower values to see if that helps. If it does help, then increase the values until the problem happens, then lower the values. If the acceleration is too high, there may be a stall at the beginning of the axis travel because the motor cannot compensate for the inertia of the axis assembly. If the velocity is too high, but the acceleration is low, then a stall may happen at the motor's top speed.

I ordered Mach 3 using the guest log in on10/Oct/2016. No down link or key in my e mail. (lesdouglas4@gmail.com) may have made mistake and entered lesdouglas4@gmail.ca

When software, or software license is purchased, we need to acquire the license, or software from the software developer and have it emailed to you. This generally takes one business day to complete.

I ordered Mach 3 how or when will I get it?

You will receive the license file via email. Additional Information: You may have already received it. Always check you spam folder to see if the email landed there.

I ordered a Mach3 license to be delivered by email, how long does that take to receive ?

Mach3 license purchases are processed during our working hours of 9 AM - 5 PM Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. If you order after hours, licensed will generally be sent to your email address the following morning.

I look on your site and find nowhere to download Mach 3, Where is it?

I just added a link to the Mach3 license page on our site: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/control-SOFTWARE-mach3

I have purchased the Mach3 licence from you, How soon can I expect the email with the licence?

As long as Mach3 orders are received during business hours they are generally emailed that same day.

I have purchased Mach 3 license, motors, drivers, and break-out board from you.....gotten it all working..... but recently, a friend tried to help me load Alpha Cam toolpath code with no success, now Mach 3 won't even load. how do I get it working again?

Do you have Windows 10? Did you do a major update on Windows 10? Many customers are finding that the most recent (6/3/2018) update of Windows 10 is crashing Mach3. Contact Machsupport.com to inform them of this problem.

i have cnc router. when I do text I have to flip it upsidedown (in software) else it prints backwards. Bottom left is zero and x and y go plus from there. y has dir low checked x does not.

Is bottom left your zero with regard to screen position, or actual machine position (looking down at the machine)? You will want the zero of the machine to reflect that of the screen. This is to make the safest possible scenario for working with the machine and it insures that the output will match that of the screen. User response: I'll answer my own question. Unchecked Dir Low on "Y" text now cuts the way you see it in Mach 3. The only thing now is "Y" is plus moving from right to left. I don't think that makes much difference as long as I know that. I'm not sure what will happen if I used a file from someone else. Any opinions? buildyourcnc response: It is still recommended that the origin is located where you would expect it to be on the machine. It sounds like the origin is at the right. It also helps to orient the keyboard when jogging where the machine movement matches the direction of the arrow keys.

I have cnc fiber laser cutting machines it has operating software cypcut and I need to change it to Mech 3 or 4 do I have to buy the driver card with the software or only the software?

Mach3 and Mach4 typically use specific controller cards that are compatible with the software. If your controller connects to your computer using either a USB or Ethernet connection, then you will probably need to change the controller card as well, unless your controller card contains a plug-in that works with the Mach3 or Mach4 software.

I get a probediag.dat error=5 when I start Mach3?

Erase the file named probediag.txt and everything should work fine. Start Mach3 again and you should not get the error. If you still get the error, please submit additional information on this FAQ.

I can't get my motors to startThey are not hotand I think they are wired properly.There may be something in Mach3 that I'm not doing rigjht

I will need to know a bit more about your setup: What controller are you using? What driver are you using? What motor are you using? What wires do you have the motor connected to the driver? Is the driver wired to a power supply? What is the voltage of the power supply? How do you have the controller wired to the driver for step/direction/5v/gnd? What voltage and current is the power supply rated? What is the max voltage is the driver rated?

I bought and downloaded about 2 years ago, recently my PC that I use for my CNC crashed and now have to reinstall Mach3 but the license download has since expired. What I need to do to activate the software?

I can send you a new license. All you need to do is email me at customerservice@buildyourcnc.com and state the name the license is under and I will send you another license.

I am getting that radus error in Mach3 and changing my IJ setting is not working. Any suggestions?

What is the actual error that you are seeing in Mach3 and what CAM program are you using? Did you try installing a later version of Mach3 if your's is an earlier version? What post-processing setting are you using in your CAM program?

How will I receive my Mach3 program?

the program will be sent as an attachment.

How to test jog 4 motors

Once all of the stepper motors and drivers are connected to the interface and the control program is running, use the control program's commands to move the axes. If you are using Mach3 for instance, simply have the program in "program run" mode/tab, make sure the reset is not blinking and press the arrow keys. If you are using Mach3, they have a wonderful users manual that I recommend be fully read for the proper functioning of the CNC, your safety, and the safety of the machine that you have.

how long does it take to receive your MACH3 Lic??

We send out the Mach3 license on the same day unless the purchase was made on a weekend. You can call us anytime to expedite the license email.

How long does it take to receive the CamBam license I ordered? I purchased it yesterday 1/30/18

I will check Additional Information: The license was purchased and the developer is sending you the license shortly.

How long does it take to get my Mach3 license emailed to me?

Should be the same day. Please call us if you don't receive the license in the same day.

How do I download software

That depends on the particular software package that you purchased. Mach3 and CamBam are downloaded at their respective websites and we send the license file through email. BobCAD and ArtCAM is sent as a CD in the mail. Additional Information: Additional Information: Additional Information:

HOW DO I CALIBRATE MY MACHINE?

In Mach3, go to the Settings Tab, and select "Set Steps Per Unit". It will ask you how far to move the machine. Before you do this, make a mark on the table exactly where the end mill is resting. You can do this by lowering the end mill until it touches the material, then spinning it by hand to cut a small dimple in the material. Then, raise the end mill to clear the material, and assign a distance to move the machine. Once the machine moves and stops, measure the exact distance that it actually traveled with a tape measure, and enter this value into the dialog box that asks how far it moved. Mach3 will automatically adjust your steps per unit for that axis to be more accurate. Do this for all axes often to ensure you are cutting accurately. The longer distances you use calibrate, and the more precise you are with your measurements, the better.

from the pictures of your combo#1 with plans and DVD are any MDF parts included?

Wood structural parts are not included with combo #1 kit. If you would like a kit that contains all of the structural parts, hardware and electronics, consider the 2'x4' kit at this link: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/cnc-machine-blacktoe-v4-2x4 Of if a smaller routing are is needed, consider this 1'x3' kit: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Item/cnc-machine-bluechick-v4

engraving timing and power settings vertical laser

The rate at which the nozzle moves across the surface to produce a specific depth and how much power is needed for this will depend on the material that is being lased. Shallow engraving in a raster like operation is quite rapid where the nozzle is swinging back and forth very fast. Deeper engraving for vector type of designs will depend on the depth, which also relates to cutting. The thicker the material to cut, the slower the feedrate, and higher the power will be necessary.

Does your parallel breakout board support macn4?

Yes, the parallel breakout board can be used with the parallel plug-in that is offered by the mach CNC software developers.

Does Mach3USB have a selection for motor tuning, if so, where, the selection in the config menu doesn't work

The motor tuning for any controller under Mach3 is independent of the actual controller. It is actually a function of the steps per unit and setting the velocity which is units/minute and acceleration which is units/minute/minute. To adjust the velocity, acceleration and steps/unit, click on config -> motor tuning.

Does a fully assembled machine come with Mach 3?

Yes, all of our assembled machines come with mach3 pro license, unless otherwise requested.

will this software include any drivers needed to make the computer talk to the VFD?

Yes, this controller can control the spindle on and off, and control the spindle's RPM. Here are two videos that show how to do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi4M3DAtTXg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD3_0NmUowk

What are the CPU requirements for Mach3?

As long as the computer can run any version of Windows, you will be fine. This USB controller can be used with the latest version of Windows (11 at the time of writing this answer) and you can use 64 or 32 bit modes. You will see that Mach3 is recommended for 32-bit ode, but this information only relates to controllers that use the parallel port.

What G codes are supported

Mach3 is a widely used CNC control software. Depending on the CAM or CAD (with CAM support), there should be a post processor for Mach3 built-in. If you are writing your own g-code, Mach3 has an extensive list of g-codes and m-codes which is listed below. This list comes from the Mach3 usage manual in chapter 10 Mach2 G- and M Code Language Reference (https://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Mach3Mill_1.84.pdf). G0 - Rapid positioning G1 - Linear interpolation G2 - Clockwise circular/helical interpolation G3 - Counterclockwise circular/Helical interpolation G4 - Dwell G10 - Coordinate system origin setting G12 - Clockwise circular pocket G13 - Counterclockwise circular pocket G15/G16 - Polar Coordinate moves in G0 and G1 G17 XY - Plane select G18 XZ - plane select G19 YZ - plane select G20/G21 - Inch/Millimetre unit G28 - Return home G28.1 - Reference axes G30 - Return home G31 - Straight probe G40 - Cancel cutter radius compensation G41/G42 - Start cutter radius compensation left/right G43 - Apply tool length offset (plus) G49 - Cancel tool length offset G50 - Reset all scale factors to 1.0 G51 - Set axis data input scale factors G52 - Temporary coordinate system offsets G53 - Move in absolute machine coordinate system G54 to G58 - Use fixture offset 1 - 5 G59 - Use fixture offset 6 / use general fixture number G61/G64 - Exact stop/Constant Velocity mode G68/G69 - Rotate program coordinate system G70/G71 - Inch/Millimetre unit G73 - Canned cycle - peck drilling G80 - Cancel motion mode (including canned cycles) G81 - Canned cycle - drilling G82 - Canned cycle - drilling with dwell G83 - Canned cycle - peck drilling G84 - Canned cycle - right-hand rigid tapping G85/G86/G88/G89 - Canned cycle - boring G90 - Absolute distance mode G91 - Incremental distance mode G92 - Offset coordinates and set parameters G92.x - Cancel G92 etc. G93 - Inverse time feed mode G94 - Feed per minute mode G95 - Feed per rev mode G98 - Initial level return after canned cycles G99 - R-point level return after canned cycles