Problems with Mach3/SmoothStepper

[JJDennon]

I have a Dell SX280 (P4 3GHZ, 1GB RAM) which I am currently running Win 7, Mach 3, and a SmoothStepper board hooked up to a Gecko G540.

I recently switched to this dedicated PC due to stability problems (random Mach freezeups). I am still experiencing some stability problems with the new setup, most likely due to noise on the USB connection.

I am now considering trying EMC2, but I am wondering if it's going to solve any of the stability problems I am experiencing.


I've looked at the user manual, and the default choice of GUIs are pretty rough on the eyes, are there "Screensets" available like there are for Mach 3? How hard is it to modify the GUI for someone with a reasonably strong software development background?

[kreutz]

I have a Dell SX280 (P4 3GHZ, 1GB RAM) which I am currently running Win 7, Mach 3, and a SmoothStepper board hooked up to a Gecko G540.

I recently switched to this dedicated PC due to stability problems (random Mach freezeups). I am still experiencing some stability problems with the new setup, most likely due to noise on the USB connection.

I am now considering trying EMC2, but I am wondering if it's going to solve any of the stability problems I am experiencing.


I've looked at the user manual, and the default choice of GUIs are pretty rough on the eyes, are there "Screensets" available like there are for Mach 3? How hard is it to modify the GUI for someone with a reasonably strong software development background?

Before trying LinuxCNC why not to try running Mach3 under winXP? It might be more stable.

Best regards,

kreutz

[JJDennon]

Before trying LinuxCNC why not to try running Mach3 under winXP? It might be more stable.

Best regards,

kreutz

I don't really like Mach 3. The gcode interpreter is to slow, there is a 250ms - 500ms pause before it executes a subroutine.

I don't want to take a step backward and install XP. I am not going to pay money for software that only works on a legacy system. Besides that I have a license for 7, I don't have a license for XP.

[kreutz]

I don't really like Mach 3. The gcode interpreter is to slow, there is a 250ms - 500ms pause before it executes a subroutine.

I don't want to take a step backward and install XP. I am not going to pay money for software that only works on a legacy system. Besides that I have a license for 7, I don't have a license for XP.

Valid reasons...Let us know about your LinuxCNC experience.

BTW, is SmoothStepper already compatible with LinuxCNC?

Best regards,

kreutz

[Doug Laser]

I have a Dell SX280 (P4 3GHZ, 1GB RAM) which I am currently running Win 7, Mach 3, and a SmoothStepper board hooked up to a Gecko G540.

I recently switched to this dedicated PC due to stability problems (random Mach freezeups). I am still experiencing some stability problems with the new setup, most likely due to noise on the USB connection.

I am now considering trying EMC2, but I am wondering if it's going to solve any of the stability problems I am experiencing.


I've looked at the user manual, and the default choice of GUIs are pretty rough on the eyes, are there "Screensets" available like there are for Mach 3? How hard is it to modify the GUI for someone with a reasonably strong software development background?

You can use other software such as NCStudio instead Mach3 and have a try,Maybe it's more stable,and how about your PCI card? i think there is nothing with your Computer System.

[wendtmk]

LinuxCNC, at this time, does not support USB controllers like the SmoothStepper.

Mark

[kreutz]

LinuxCNC, at this time, does not support USB controllers like the SmoothStepper.

Mark

Thank you.

kreutz