How does Mach help

[rodneydeeeee]

I'm not really understanding what Mach does. What type of user would benefit with Mach software? Anyone have a good explanation?

[Splint]

Mach is the machine controler, it takes the g-code generated by the cam software and turns it into step and direction signals for the motor controler cards. I'm over simplifying things here but essentially that's what it dose and if you want your machine to run you will need it or an alternative controler program.

Splint

[NC Cams]

It is software that takes a CNC machine operating code and translates into digital signals that drive stepper and/or servo motors in a controlled fashion thru a parallel port.

Essentially, the Mach program does to a CNC sort of like what a word processing program does to a printer so as to get the printer to type out a letter.

The word processor ultimately prints out a letter by making the printer spit out ink and do so as it moves the printer head left and right, up and down.

Mach does the same sort of thing only via the printer port only its running steppers or servos hooked to axis that move cutting tools or spindles instead of printer heads and/or letter feed rolls.

[erase42]

did you get your answer yet? Mach is a versitle machine control software that can run up to 6 axis. It allows you to creat your own display screens including only the buttons and info that you desire. It also has features that allow it to be used for milling routing lathework plasma and laser cutting as well as tangential knife cutting of fabric or leather/foam. It is very well supported on the forums and the cost is very affordable.

[Old Megawatts]

If you have ever used a pen plotter or seen one work, it is pretty much like a CNC mill. However, the third axis only raises and lowers the pen. Pretty simple explanation but that's about how it works but doesn't have a rotating spindle.

[Greolt]

Originally Posted by rodneydeeeee I'm not really understanding what Mach does.............

I must admit to being a bit confused with your question Rodneydeeeee

You have been promoting Dolphin Cad/cam software and say you used Bobcad/cam for six years.

So I'm not quite sure what your actualy asking here.

I must be missing something. Ask the boss and she will say that's pretty normal.

[harryn]

Hi - sorry for adding to this newbie question on what Mach does.

I have a general understanding of CAD, although all of my direct experience is with a T square, etc, so please excuse my silly attempts at trying to understand this whole area.

I am thinking of setting up a small mill for hobby use.

- 3 axis plus an :A: axis which rotates (sort of like a stepper driven lathe under a 3 axis mill if that makes sense) The parts I want to make do seem to need this capability.

Please correct my sequence / understanding below if at all possible

Step 1 - Draw object in CAD
- I am thinking Rhino at this point, mostly because I know someone who uses it

Step 2 - Turn CAD drawing into simulated tool paths. This requires a CAM program, such as Rhino CAM or Lazy CAM ?

Step 3 - Turn simulated tool paths into motor motions.
- This requires a "controller"
- Example - GREX controller ?
- Example - Mach 3 / 4 out putting through the USB port ?

Step 4 - Turn desired motor motions into actual motor steps
- This requires a stepper motor driver box ?

Step 5 - Steppers actually move parts or spindle
- This requires the stepper motors and various linear motion hardware.

I was thinking that the Mach 3 / 4 actually output G code through the computers USB port directly to the stepper motor drivers, but then I saw that Mach 4 uses the GREX controller in between.

If you can help clarify this for me, I would appreciate it. My goal is as few boxes as are absolutely needed, but of course, enough of them.

[ger21]

The CAM program outputs g-code. Mach3 reads the g-code, and sends step through the parallel port to the stepper drives. Or, Mach3 can control the G-Rex, and send commands to the G-Rex, and then The G-Rex outputs steps to the stepper drives. While the G-Rex has a USB connection, it isn't used with mach3. Mach3 connects to the G100 via ethernet.

The simplest method is to use Mach3, the parallel port and the stepper drives.

[harryn]

Thanks for the info. The part that I was really lost on was to understand that pulses come from Mach, and the "drivers" are more or less "amplifiers" (for us simple folks).

I spent a few days reading about Mach III Mill, and did a first reading of the manual last night. It was extremely helpful - and made me think that I might actually be able to pull off a DIY mill with only moderate pain.

It also helped me understand how the Mach s/w guys have managed to get around some of the more "interesting" challenges of Win based control systems, and their technical reasoning for staying with high end parallel ports.

Now that I have gotten rid of all of my computers with pp's, and gone to laptops with lots of USBs, I guess I need to pick up a desktop and add a quality pp board, which seems to be a reasonable trade off to make it all work.

I have a couple of parts I would like to be able to make which require "true 3D" (not too far from making an oval 1/2 ball if that makes sense) and one "3 D plus a rotation axis" to make an elliptical cylinder like part. I guess I need to spend some time to see if it is practical to learn enough G code to program this, or if I will be forced to learn CAD - convert to CAM to make it work.

[forqnc]

Can Mach 3 work with any stepper controllers?

[InspirationTool]

You might find this article about the CNC toolchain I wrote useful:

http://www.jeffalbro.net/cnc/toolchain/

It explains the steps from idea to part.

-Jeff

[forqnc]

Originally Posted by InspirationTool You might find this article about the CNC toolchain I wrote useful: http://www.jeffalbro.net/cnc/toolchain/ It explains the steps from idea to part. -Jeff

Thanks for the link Jeff.