Newbie- So, how do you like Mach 3 ???

[nelZ]

I've got Camsoft running (finally) and have a couple seats of BobCad.

Both of these forums have a thread like this...Both have lots of complaints.

I have a 2 axis job for a grinder and don't have another couple grand for camsoft. It's a stepper application.

I was told that camsoft is safer than Mach 3 since the galil card controls the machine and windows can't get in the way...is this true?

Is there a way to run Mach 3 on a laptop?

Is anyone happy with Mach 3 ??

Thanks,
Nelson

[nelZ]

No opinions?

Thanks

[awerby]

Originally Posted by nelZ I've got Camsoft running (finally) and have a couple seats of BobCad. Both of these forums have a thread like this...Both have lots of complaints. I have a 2 axis job for a grinder and don't have another couple grand for camsoft. It's a stepper application. I was told that camsoft is safer than Mach 3 since the galil card controls the machine and windows can't get in the way...is this true? [There might be other issues with it, but that's certainly a point in its favor. You can optimize Windows for Mach to eliminate most of the things that interrupt CNC processing.] Is there a way to run Mach 3 on a laptop? [It depends on the laptop, but generally it's not recommended.] Is anyone happy with Mach 3 ?? [Yes, thousands of people. But if you want to try something else, you might look at EMC2 - it runs under realtime Linux, so Windows won't get in your way, although other things might.] Thanks, Nelson

You're welcome,

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[nelZ]

Hey, Thanks!

I was wondering if anyone was out there.

I did see a post commending the support that Mach people provide. Camsoft's screen is kinda retro and not flexible - in a DOS kinda way.

Linux ???? My wife had to build a Linux box to run a DNA sequencing robot years ago. I don't know if I want to go there ...

Nelson

[Al_The_Man]

If you want to use Galil, which is basically true closed loop.
There is a Galil plug in with Mach, although I have not used it.
Otherwise Mach is simply the controller, after commands are issued, there is no feedback to the controller per-se, the feedback in the case of servo is to the drive.
If you have an application that does not require Complicated G code programming, there is a few ways of implementing a simple application talking directly to the Galil card with, if necessary a simple keypad/two line display or graphics/touch screen from Maple Industries.
Al.

[nelZ]

Does anyone make a stepper drive with a USB input?

Cam Mach 3 use the USB ?

How ya doin' Al ?

Nelson

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by nelZ How ya doin' Al ? Nelson

Hanging in!

[ger21]

There are a few USB motion controllers that have Mach3 plugins. The Kflop and Kmotion from Dynomotion and the Smoothstepper from www.warp9td.com

I was told that camsoft is safer than Mach 3 since the galil card controls the machine and windows can't get in the way...is this true?

As Al said, you can use a Galil card with Mach3, and it shouldn't be any different than using it with Camsoft.

Is there a way to run Mach 3 on a laptop?

Use a hardware motion controller like those mentioned above.

Is anyone happy with Mach 3 ??

Over 50,000 registered users.

[BobWarfield]

Mach3 works great and is extremely well supported.

You want to be a little bit careful about not using the parallel port (e.g. Galil, Smoothstepper, and such). Once you're off the beaten path of parallel port to breakout board to driver, there are a lot less than 50,000 registered users and support is more difficult. I would prowl carefully and look for folks using the parallel port alternative you think you're interested in.

FWIW, I have a Smoothstepper and like it reasonably well, though I wish there was more support for it and it ran all of Mach3's features (like backlash compensation). With that said, I run it with a laptop and it seems fine.

I know some guys locally that had a Galil, but they won't up dumping it because the support for Mach3 just wasn't very good. Not clear it couldn't be made to work, there just weren't enough places to get help from though. When I asked them about it, they said, "It feels like there's only a couple guys using it." Probably an exageration, but you get the picture. These particular guys have now switched to an Ajax board. Still waiting to hear how they like it.

Cheers,

BW

[neilw20]

It is so good I have a real license with my name in it.
Using a laptop; Make sure it is in full permanent on mode.
Battery saving modes use the APIC timer, and Mach3 needs this to work properly.
I prefer Win2000 as it has less baggage, and is more likely to work smoothly.
XP? Make sure the CPU is FAST. Read attached document to see how it all works.

No parallel port? Smoothstepper works properly I believe.
I have one, but haven't tested it yet. It works on an apple MAC from USB.

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Man If you want to use Galil, which is basically true closed loop.

A little reading on the Galil site shows in can do verification if feedback is incorporated in a stepper setup. If that verification is used to shut down the machine when position is lost it could have safety benefits. I'm not sure if that fits the definition of closed loop, mostly because I'm not sure of the exact definition of closed loop

I don't use Mach but the support, both official and unofficial, appears to be exceptional.

[Al_The_Man]

Originally Posted by cyclestart A little reading on the Galil site shows in can do verification if feedback is incorporated in a stepper setup. If that verification is used to shut down the machine when position is lost it could have safety benefits. I'm not sure if that fits the definition of closed loop, mostly because I'm not sure of the exact definition of closed loop

Gall with a stepper is still not really closed loop as it does not constantly correct position as does PID loop servo control.
Personally I do not see alot to gain using Galil with steppers.
Al.