Can a KX3 be upgraded to USB?

[Clockworld]

In a few months, I intend to look for a Sieg KX3 machine and I was wondering if it was possible to upgrade them from parallel to USB.
Of course it may not be cost effective but I would be interested to know.
Matt

[Neale]

It's quite likely that you could use something like a UC100 motion controller with very little work. It's not a USB-parallel converter although it looks as if it is. Install the plug-in to Mach3, configure ports and pins, and you are more-or-less there with no rewiring. Better performance than native parallel port, and you can use it with 64-bit Windows versions (which don't support parallel port, as you probably know).

[Clockworld]

It's quite likely that you could use something like a UC100 motion controller with very little work. It's not a USB-parallel converter although it looks as if it is. Install the plug-in to Mach3, configure ports and pins, and you are more-or-less there with no rewiring. Better performance than native parallel port, and you can use it with 64-bit Windows versions (which don't support parallel port, as you probably know).

That is interesting. It looks a simple upgrade and considering there is little effort involved, the cost is easily recovered.
Matt

[Neale]

If I were looking for a better USB motion controller, based on what I'm hearing via this forum I would seriously consider the UC300 - although personally I would prefer ethernet to USB. Better ground isolation, better noise rejection. There is now an ethernet version of the UC300. However, the UC100 comes from a good company and has been around for a fair while now. Other options might need a bit more work to integrate them, although unlikely to need any rework inside the mill itself. Good luck with findind a KX3!

[Clockworld]

If I were looking for a better USB motion controller, based on what I'm hearing via this forum I would seriously consider the UC300 - although personally I would prefer ethernet to USB. Better ground isolation, better noise rejection. There is now an ethernet version of the UC300. However, the UC100 comes from a good company and has been around for a fair while now. Other options might need a bit more work to integrate them, although unlikely to need any rework inside the mill itself. Good luck with findind a KX3!

Thanks - the UC300 maybe a little cahllenge too far (initially) - although I do like ethernet technology!
Matt

[Ger21]

I would recommend the UC300ETH over the USB version.
In addition to better noise immunity, the ethernet version is also faster.

I'd also recommend switching to UCCNC from Mach3, while you're at it.