Mach 3 with ?

[monte55]

I'm just about finished with my 4'x4' cnc table. I guess I'll use Mach 3. I hear it is good and being new to this I have no way of making these decisions on my own. Can Mach 3 do anything on its own or is it strictly a controller. Does it have to have a program to work with? This brings me to my next question.....I want to be able to draw or design a shape, maybe a single part or sign with numerous letters, give it dimensions and have the machine plasma cut or rout it out. Also purchase files to import into my system. I hope you can understand the way i'm asking my questions and make sense of it. I have never used a Cad program before so I 'm not sure exactly what to expect. I hear Sheetcam is good. What are you using and what are your recommendations. All replies welcome ....................Nick
I'm not sure if you need this info.......3 axis....4 497 steppers.......all direct
drive 3/4 acme x 6TPI using Xylotex 4 axis kit ... round linear bearings on 1" shaft on x & y....z dual 1/2 round with bronze.

[dertsap]

http://www.motiongroup.com/dwnload.shtml

this may help if you have no cad/cam software or experience using it ,download the qmill pack , its free and as simple as it gets

[ger21]

Mach 3 is strictly a controller, but comes with a few extras. LazyCAM, which can convert .dxf files from CAD and drawing packages to g-code, and it also includes a few "wizards", which will quickly create g-code for simple tasks.

Mach3 can be run without a g-code program, in MDI mode, where you manually enter g-code 1 line at a time. The machine will execute the commnads as you type them in.

I'd recommend downloading Mach3 and start learning how it works, and how to use it. If you don't have any drawing packages, you can get a Inkscape for ree from here, http://www.inkscape.org/ and a free CAD program from www.A9tech.com. If you plan on using Inkscape, I'd recommend also downloading the .dxf converter from A9tech as well and converting Inkscapes .dxf files to version 12 .dxf files. You'll have much more success when importing them into LazyCAM.

SheetCAM will give you more control when converting .dxf files to g-code.

[monte55]

I am trying to download Mach 3 Trial Version 1.90.092 per an email from Art. I can't find this particular download. Does anyone know how to do this on the Mach website? Just got my new computer and I am getting anxious to get started and practice with this trial version.

GER 21 ARE YOU OUT THERE? HEEELP!!!

Nick

[ger21]

I'm guessing that was an older email. The versions on the website change almost daily as Art is constantly updating it. Use 2.0.003

[monte55]

Maybe I'm blind because I can't find where to download the trial version. I look under downloads.......Shouldn't I see a Mach 3 trial version with something to click on?

[snowshovelbmx]

monte try this link http://www.artofcnc.ca/Mach3VersionR1.84.002.exe pretty sure that is it but I could be wrong.

[monte55]

I think I found the Mach trial download. It's not under the downloads tab as I would think but toward the end of the home page. Also we need a DVD it says
and not a CD. Oh well. .............Thanks GER21 and the rest for your input and help

[ger21]

There is no trial download. Download the full version, and it runs in demo mode until you register it and get a license key.

Downloaded the newest R2.0 series and you'll be fine. I have no idea what you mean by needing a DVD??

[monte55]

I was told it was a trial version. Anyway........I purchaced a new desktop
computer yesterday. 2.6 dual core processor, 1 gig ram, cd/dvd/read ,burn etc.The computer is out in my shop with no internet access. I wanted to download Mach 3 to my computer in the house and burn it to a disc, take it to the shop computer and install on this new computer. When we tried it to a CD it said it was the wrong format. So.... we tried a DVD and it started to burn and after a short while it said Burn Process Failed at 4x (5,540 KB/S).
I haven't a clue what that means. I started thinking, maybe you can only download it to a computer but will not burn to any disc. When my wife had Napster she could download music to the computer. but couldn't burn to a cd unless she paid for that particular piece of music. Any ideas?

[ger21]

You just burn the file you downloaded to the CD, copy the file to the new computer, and install it there. You can probably even install it from the CD. If it said wrong format, you're probably not using your burning software correctly, or choosing the wrong options. Choose "create data disk" when burning.

[monte55]

We finally got Mac 3 downloaded and burned to a CD. It's installed on the CNC computer. Now, what do I do? I received my Xylotex 4 axis driver and power supply today. I guess now I'll read the instructions a hundred times, download
all related material and read,read,read......and watch all the Mach videos. Oh, I'll still have more questions. I hope they get smarter. Step at a time!!!!!
Nick