Mach3 and USB

[mikep608]

Does anyone know how to hook up mach3 to a computer using a usb?
Mike P

[ger21]

Originally Posted by mikep608 Does anyone know how to hook up mach3 to a computer using a usb? Mike P

You can't right now. parallel port only. Sometime in the near future, however, DeskCNC will be releasing a USB pulse generator. Mach3 is **supposed** to be supporting this. You'll need to buy the hardware, but it will run via USB. No exact date on this.

[NC Cams]

Something to think about:

We had the option of using USB or parallel port to drive a new printer we recently purchased. Performance sucked on USB but worked fine on parallel.

NOw I'm not an expert here so take my musings with the proper schepticism but if you have to translate from machine code to usb to driver card for CNC system, doesn't adding ANOTHER language translation device into the link add more potential for bizarre things happening????

Keep in mind that USB's and the other stuff they keep coming out with are designed for anything BUT real time machine control in mind. Digital cameras, dumping print, fine. back and forth to "talk to a machine", I don't know.

If a generic printer couldn't talk properly and they've been making them for eons, why would a USB to parallel work any better??

I'd me more inclined to get a PC with a parallel port and not let an intermediating translation device get in the picture.

Again, not an expert but KISS does have its charm.... Besides, it is better to use stuff that WORKS as opposed to stuff that's 'cool'.

[unterhaus]

USB is not suitable for real time control purposes. Firewire does work. USB can send tons of data, but it has large delays. Successful CNC devices using USB will have intelligence on both ends of the cable, can't just use a USB to parallel converter.