Mach3 vs Mach4

[Jonathan]

It's also been told by some very experienced users that it's shite at doing CV (contant velocity) so jerky jerky.!!

If anything I think it's smoother than Mach3 was, certainly not worse.

Either Mach3 or LinuxCNC would most likely be fine - I always advise trying both and just see which you like best.

[birchy]

I always advise trying both and just see which you like best.

Absolutely. Use the right tool for the job - i.e. the one you find most productive. I would say at least TRY LinuxCNC first as it's totally free, then if you don't like it, get your hand in your pocket and buy Windows and Mach.

[Web Goblin]

You could also download Eding cnc and give that a try as well before you decide.

[birchy]

You could also download Eding cnc and give that a try as well before you decide.

Not heard of that before. Is this the right page? Eding CNC - PC based CNC control

Do you have to use the Eding controller or can you just use the free software?

[Saracen]

Thanks all.

I guess I could comfortably wear the Geek hat, as I've run FreeBSD based mail, web and DNS servers for around 10 years.

> 6-12 months away

Interesting. Definitely not going to wait that long for it to arrive, and staying away from a .0 release is always good advice

I already have the PC and Windows XP, so there's no cost involved there.

Guess I'll try both once the G540 arrives and see which one breaks less bits

Adrian.

[birchy]

I guess I could comfortably wear the Geek hat, as I've run FreeBSD based mail, web and DNS servers

LinuxCNC would be the natural choice, then. It can be a bit finicky with PC hardware as, unlike Mach, it uses a realtime kernel for smoother control. Best thing to do is run the Live CD (no need to install) and run the Jitter test to see where your PC stands. Wifi cards and on-board graphics seem to be the worst culprits for poor response times. If you have neither of those, then you'll probably be good to go "straight out of the box".

[JAZZCNC]

If anything I think it's smoother than Mach3 was, certainly not worse.

That all depends if the cutting your doing requires good CV or not.?. . . . I can't or won't argue because not interested in Linux CNC has I'm very happy with Mach3 as it does all I want.

I can thou comment on the Geek issue thou because I've seen many Very very very experienced Mach3 users who have got disgruntled with Mach3 for one reason or another(mostly lathe users) and migrate to Linux only to come back saying the Linux guru's won't help unless your into programming and even then the answer is usually fix it your self.!!

[Web Goblin]

birchy,
yes thats the right one. You can try the software in simulation mode but as far as I know you need his hardware to run it with a machine. I have been using it since I built my machine and I like it. It gets regular updates and Bert gets back to you quickly if you mail him with a problem or question.

[birchy]

You can try the software in simulation mode but as far as I know you need his hardware to run it with a machine. I have been using it since I built my machine and I like it. It gets regular updates and Bert gets back to you quickly if you mail him with a problem or question.

OMG, I didn't realise that Bert's Artificial Intelligence had evolved so much that he's now writing his own software! (personal joke here...my trusty old self-programmed betting "bot" was nick-named Bert many years ago).

[Swarfing]

Sour grapes to those that poo poo linux because they do not understand what they are doing without the crutch of microsft. Always used Emc2 (linuxcnc) and since setting it up never had a problem. At least the linux fraternity will never shove it's problem under the carpet. Once you get it set up it works great, the forum will get you through most problems you may have (not many as they have all been seen before). PC is biggest hurdle, but if you look on their site they list a good few that work but what i find is the simpler the machine and you switch all the on board stuff off that is not needed you are fine. Check out mother boards that boast high back bus speeds rather that processor speeds. a good chunk of ram, separate graphics cards with good ramdac and you are on your way.