Guidance request.

[klrskies]

I have a prototrac bed mill with a 2-1/2 axis Prototak Edge3 conversational control. I'm considering relacing the control with Mach 3 software in a dedicated PC, outputing thru a parallel port to a breakout board, then to gecodrives' 320x drives. I'll be useing a power supply to supply the servos DC power.

This machine needs to be able to cut true 3d at no more than 50 inches /minute. I only have a few things to control beside the servomotors... the spindle, an oil pump, a spraymister. I don't have any limit switches at this time but would like to add them. I'd also like to have a handheld pendant.

I'm new to controling cnc machines with aftermarket controllers and the low cost of controlling a mill without expensive boards and amplifiers is appealing. I have heard that somtimes machines that are controlled this way are prone to crashing due to WIndows having some glitch... Is this true? What can be done, if anything, to prevent a crash when controling a machine with mach3 and no board level motion controller?

regards,
Ken

[ger21]

Do you have Windows PC's that randomly crash? I have seven PC's in my house running Windows, and none of them ever crash, including the one running my router.

As long as the PC is only used for running the machine, once it's setup and running properly, you shouldn't have a problem. Just disable all power management options, and don't run any antivirus software. Basically, Install Windows, then install Mach3. That's it.

If Mach3 just randomly crashed every now and then, do you thing there would be over 50,000 registered users.

[klrskies]

I'd want to do what I could to prevent a machine/workpiece crash when running any system. I'm wondering why anyone would bother with the expense of motion controllers if their not required to operate cnc?
regards,
Ken

[ger21]

I'm wondering why anyone would bother with the expense of motion controllers if their not required to operate cnc?

They can offer better performance that the parallel port, and also allow the use of Laptops, which are normally not supported under Mach3. Some also offer additional features.

[klrskies]

So are these 50,000 mach/gecko systems when properly set-up, considered to be commercial grade, able to be counted on for day-in / day-out use without glitches? I should be fine putting an intricate, expensive workpiece under a machine controlled by it, just as I am now with my current cnc machines?

Regards,
Ken

[ger21]

I don't know the breakdown between hobby machines and commercial machines using Mach3.

I do know that 90% of Gecko's business is for commercial applications, and only a small amount of their business is to hobbiests.