. .
  1. #1
    Hi I bought a chinese 3040 3 axis machine in february i have mach 3 installed on a windows xp computer the router contoller is connected to the pc by a usb b connection on the controller to a usb port on the computer in can move the axis motors in mach 3 on screen using a keyboard but i have yet to get any of the axis stepper motors to actually move on the machine can anyone help me out

  2. #2
    It is quite possible that the usb port on the controller is for loading a gcode file.I know nothing of Mach3 as I use LinuxCNC.Have you checked that it doesn't expect you to use a parallel port to drive the machine?I believe a usb connection might be challenging for Mach3.Maybe you could ask over at CNCzone as they have a global user base.

  3. #3
    Mach3 by itself can only talk to a machine via the parallel port. If you use USB, you need an additional plug-in which allows Mach3 to communicate via USB. This plug-in is generally specific to a particular motion controller. Did your router come with any software? For example, I know one machine that had a memory stick hidden away in the packaging that included both the motion controller plug-in and the configuration file that was needed to tell Mach3 which pin/port was which. Once these were installed, everything started to work.

    The other problem is that cheap Chinese routers often come with hacked (pirate, illegal) copies of Mach3 which are often unreliable but you will generally get some movement before you start to discover problems.

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Neale View Post
    Mach3 by itself can only talk to a machine via the parallel port. If you use USB, you need an additional plug-in which allows Mach3 to communicate via USB. This plug-in is generally specific to a particular motion controller. Did your router come with any software? For example, I know one machine that had a memory stick hidden away in the packaging that included both the motion controller plug-in and the configuration file that was needed to tell Mach3 which pin/port was which. Once these were installed, everything started to work.

    The other problem is that cheap Chinese routers often come with hacked (pirate, illegal) copies of Mach3 which are often unreliable but you will generally get some movement before you start to discover problems.
    Hi thank you for your help the machine did not come with any software just a zipped file with mach 3 on it i have installed it and it seems to work on the screen but i cant get the motors to physically move i have posted what the diagnostics page looks like
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	mach3 diagnostics.bmp 
Views:	140 
Size:	3.75 MB 
ID:	25232  

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by wulliepie1 View Post
    it seems to work on the screen
    Mach3 does that, it runs code perfectly, even when it's not connected to anything at all.
    As has been stated above you must have a Plugin installed to run a USB connected machine, plugin configuration is somewhere you should look.
    You think that's too expensive? You're not a Model Engineer are you? :D

  6. #6
    Are there any markings on the controller with the USB socket in the router? it might be possible to track down a suitable plug-in if it's one of the common controllers.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. chinese 3040 3 axis cnc router
    By wulliepie1 in forum Chinese Machines
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 20-12-2018, 04:17 PM
  2. Engraving aluminum on chinese 3040
    By dfox1787 in forum Metalwork Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 26-06-2017, 01:29 PM
  3. Any reason not to buy this 3040 chinese CNC?
    By aideym in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 28-10-2015, 08:14 PM
  4. Techsoft 2D Design to work with Chinese CNC 3040 DJ-T
    By lukelucas93 in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-09-2014, 03:06 PM
  5. 3020 / 3040 / generic chinese router accuracy
    By m_c in forum Machine Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 24-07-2014, 11:54 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •