Mach3 is a dying program. It hasn't been updated in 5 years, and is inferior to most of it's current competition.
Hi.
I'm an embedded software engineer and was engaged in the field of retrofitting of the old CNC machines for 15 years. All this time we've been replacing different CNC systems, servodrivers, PLC etc.
When I saw MACH 3 for the first time I was not very excited because of its strange interface. The functions were almost the same but appearence ... I saw many profesional CNCs, SIEMENS, HAAS, HEIDENHAIN etc, and their interface was different form MACH,
So I decided to make screenset, which will be similar to one of these systems as close as possible. I think a huge amount of people who work on design of this prof systems knew how to make the most ergonomical interface.
I started this thread to ask community which CNC will be selected for copying.
I have to say that I didn't use these systems by myself (we installed a selfmade software) so I need your help and consultations.
If everything goes well we will receive a professional look of well known software.
For the first I will try to copy mill interface.
And, of course, it will be absolutely free and opensource.
So, STEP one: which professional CNC system do you prefer to use?
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Last edited by YaraAuto; 12-20-2016 at 12:28 PM.
Mach3 is a dying program. It hasn't been updated in 5 years, and is inferior to most of it's current competition.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
Most people are not overly concerned with what software they use.
The following are things that any new or existing software should do for the user.
1. simple interface - An interface that is easy on the eyes. One that allows the user to look at it and recognize common controls.
2. Documentation - I can't stress this part enough. I have seen software with crappy docs.
There are a lot of other things but thats opinion. The above 2 items are the top on my list as a CNC guy.
I can learn new software but if the documentation and interface are not good I tend to stay away.
5 years without updates - it is bad ((
But now a lot of DIYers use it and will use for a long time. I don't know will be this project successful or not but I'll try.
Of course if you have any other propositions about modifying interface of some other CNC system - I'm listening.
LinuxCNC - is not my variant now because I've never used linux at all.
PS Something is wrong with my first post. Some extra links were added. Is it normal?
Just like windows XP, I suspect many people will still be using Mach3 for quite a long time to come so I wouldn't be at all concerned at any imminent Mach3 demise!
If you make the screenset, they will use it!
cheers, Ian
It's a state of mind!
steve323 has a valid point.
As hardware evolves, drivers tend to only get written for the current OS.
As hardware dies and needs replacing, XP compatible drivers won't be available for the replacements. People will be forced to upgrade not just (for example) a dead video card but the whole computer and OS, and it won't be long before you simply cannot run Mach3 any more. Five more years, maybe.
I've seen it happen many times, with DOS, then Windows 95, then again with NT. Not machining software, but other applications where people are forced to change out software because of ageing hardware.
LinuxCNC is probably the biggest competition at the moment but, if you're prepared to rock their hardware, UCCNC definitely seems worth keeping an eye on.
Oh, and to the OP: if it's something you want to do for yourself, go nuts. But I wouldn't throw time and effort at a commercial venture building aftermarket add-ons for a pensioned product. Your market (the guys who will squeeze every last day possible out of their Mach3 purchase) are probably not the people who are going to throw money at new screens.
Mach3 is not restricted to XP. It can run on Windows 10 if you want, you just need a motion controller.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
Win XP is going to be around for years, you can still get it not pirate ever.
<img src="https://ivxo1q-dm2305.files.1drv.com/y4mENMmTr_Cabc7pR0FUdB6gtbADq2JbuG4_rGy0eBQvLJx19pTi6TqMUIJN0xgOyDIc0gWoxYhS38HpbSTFGdfaK-o42IOU6jczrhDpfpCOTNGL1X6hvZCbgj0y35gqmq1YGTrWwShYGV-C7lXA2esy0Pi_WfnBSyroDLSGXwce4uSr1U7op7srdi78rispHCa_K4aFlTlJPVkkNWMfgh_Tg?width=60&height=60&cropmode=none" width="60" height="60" />
Being Disabled is OK CNC is For fuN
Make SIEMENS screen .
Or u can make them all , but i am interesed about siemens .
Yes, SIEMENS is very popular so, it is a winner! Besides, I saw a simulator of SINUMERIK 840d. But it is not free. I hope trial period will be enough to understand principles of operation.
Wow I thought you where serious about this, Siemens?? would be one of the least used machine controls, Fanuc would be number 1, Haas would be next,only because it's so user friendly, and Hobby Guys like easy to use, Haas is world wide and very simple to use, I think anything from 2008, for a Haas screen set would be a good example
I think Mach3 will be around for a long time, you also have Mach4 to look at as well
There are already some good screen sets for Mach3, have you looked at these
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/screen...mach-aqua.html
Mach3 2010 Screenset
Last edited by ger21; 12-21-2016 at 10:19 AM.
Mactec54
No, Mach3 isn't going away. But I suspect that they'll be stopping license sales soon (When Mach4 is finally "ready"), and at that point, there will be few new Mach3 users. But yes, a majority of current Mach3 users will continue to use it as long as they can.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)
I addition to ergonomic interface, the main idea is to make screenset without need of using a MOUSE. I can't imagine how to use it in dusty environment with cooling fluids etc. I've never saw any mouses or touchscreens on real industrial metalworking equipment.
No mouse needed, a MPG or a Joy stick covers most all that is needed, there are many ways to use a MPG, it can be hand held or built into the control, this and a few button is all that is needed to control any CNC machine
Touch Screens work very well, but can be expensive, if they do fail you need a backup like the Joy stick and MPG
Mactec54
That doesn't change the fact that the competition is now superior, and Mach3 is riddled with bugs that will never be fixed.
But I for someone in the market to purchase a copy, imo, I would no longer recommend Mach3.
Gerry
UCCNC 2017 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]
Mach3 2010 Screenset
[URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]
JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
[URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)