CNCdrive UC300ETH Mach3 plugin is now available

[JAZZCNC]

Yes Jazz but it has an inverse reaction, the more bad press they get the more they have to pull their socks up and the better it makes it for everyone else.

It's just a pity it has to be this way.

Ye 100% agree John but I'd hate to have come Visit you in hospital over Bloody BOB. .

[Neale]

I had a read through the manual as well. I would have liked to see little things like polarities on the analogue outputs and inputs. I don't expect to have to measure this kind of thing before wiring it into a system. This was the wiring manual, I think. I assumed that another doc would talk about configuration in Mach3, port and pin numbering, etc. This is the kind of thing that's obvious to someone who has used the device before but can be a real time-waster first time you meet one. Does look an interesting device, though, and if I weren't building in a CSMIO I might have considered one - plus the extra boards for opto-isolation, etc.

[JAZZCNC]

Its probably just the evolution of the product and so on, USB is 5v, allot of hobby guys have for years/probably run 5v systems, they probably didn't expect the need to cater for such professional setup's like the ones you build.

That's just it Lee it costs so little extra for these guys to do it right. It shouldn't be considered Professional level. It should be a standard for CNC.(To save loss of hair.!!)
Only reason they don't include on the Mainboard is so they can sell BOB's.!!!!

Does look an interesting device, though, and if I weren't building in a CSMIO I might have considered one - plus the extra boards for opto-isolation, etc.

Neil while it's nice board there's no way I'd swap for Cslabs IP-M other than to use there UCCnc software. If using Mach3 then it's still got long way go to compete with the quality of Cslabs units.
Not until they dump the requirement for external BOB or Isolation and provide 24v I/O and remove the need for 5v psu would I consider using them, even if the UCcnc software is better than Mach3.

If Cslabs would just change there policy and allow independant homing of the Slaved axis for router/plasma type machines they would blow every other PC based Motion controller at this level away. Can't believe they don't see the potential sales there losing because lack of this one feature and believe me I have told begged and pleaded with them on many occasions.

[Lee Roberts]

Still need BOB's or Isolation Lee they MB only provides headers which arent Optoisolated.

One thing that baffels me with this Company is they provide good hardware that is stable and with decent software/backup provide it on Motherboard with headers but then cripple it by not providing isolated I/O system that can handle 24V.

It wouldn't take much more effort or cost to add this and make it much more usable piece of hardware. I would use them in heart beat on machines I build if didn't require BOB and ran from 24V not 5V.

Shame.!!!

Yea understood...cheers

Its probably just the evolution of the product and so on, USB is 5v, allot of hobby guys have for years/probably run 5v systems, they probably didn't expect the need to cater for such professional setup's like the ones you build. Who knows (Camera?), the next model/version may have iso and 24v...

Or is it to do with the pros and cons of connecting to a host via USB vs PP vs Ethernet etc, electrical noise playing games but not having an effect on system I mean...

Why should I buy 2, 3 or even 4 pieces of equipment off different suppliers who won't even talk to one another and I'm expected to be UNPAID piggy in the middle.

I've got my own answer now guys thanks, I was mobile when asked and playing kindergarten cop so didn't watch the video properly...

To order and recive the MB and PCB as pictured, its the UC300ETH-5LPT you need to order, the 5LPT part of that being the bit to watch for, I dont think it matters if you order from them direct at the mo, as at the time of writing this, they only have the ETH-5LPT listed in their web shop anyway!

The different/additional motherboard's you can get, are just options/choices from other suppliers if you only have the UC300ETH PCB.

[A_Camera]

I had a read through the manual as well. I would have liked to see little things like polarities on the analogue outputs and inputs. I don't expect to have to measure this kind of thing before wiring it into a system. This was the wiring manual, I think. I assumed that another doc would talk about configuration in Mach3, port and pin numbering, etc. This is the kind of thing that's obvious to someone who has used the device before but can be a real time-waster first time you meet one. Does look an interesting device, though, and if I weren't building in a CSMIO I might have considered one - plus the extra boards for opto-isolation, etc.

Did you miss to read page 18?

All output pins are TTL level with 0/5Volts output Voltage levels and an absolute maximum of +-20mAmps current per output channel. All inputs are TTL compatible and accept 0/5Volts Voltage levels.

Then on page 19:

The board also has an IDC16 analogue I/O port with 2 analog inputs and 2 analogue 0-10V outputs.

Isn't that clear enough? I am sure it is pretty obvious which polarities inputs/outputs are since they are referenced to GND, so what exactly are you missing? A "+" sign in front of every one of them? It

The Mach3 plugin is like two days old (officially)... the manual was written long BEFORE, but if you have questions, I am sure they can answer you, and tell you to have a look in the UC300USB manual. It is just a parallel port converter for crying out loud! What kind of help do you need? It is pretty well explained in the Mach3 manual how to configure it, and the Internet is full of information about it as well.

I can't understand this whining about the extra BOB needed. Is really £5 so much money, or what is the problem?

[JAZZCNC]

I can't understand this whining about the extra BOB needed. Is really £5 so much money, or what is the problem?

It's not about the cost it's the fact it uses 5V and all the instabilty that comes with it.! Anyone who's had noise issues will know all too well why 5V I/O is best avoided for stable system.

[Ger21]

Here's a preview of my upcoming UCCNC Screenset.
Similar to the Mach3 2010 Screenset, but more modern, and more features and user control.

[JAZZCNC]

Here's a preview of my upcoming UCCNC Screenset.
Similar to the Mach3 2010 Screenset, but more modern, and more features and user control.

Looking good Gerry now get into there ribs and tell them to give us 24V I/O and 24V powered and I'll be onboard.

[John S]

And multi line encoder threading. <g>

[A_Camera]

It's not about the cost it's the fact it uses 5V and all the instabilty that comes with it.! Anyone who's had noise issues will know all too well why 5V I/O is best avoided for stable system.

Fine but it is normal to use 5V for logic internally. All digital chips run on 5V and/or 3.3V. Nobody is saying that that's what it must use on the inputs and you must directly connect switches and everything, connect a BOB with 24V inputs and than you are just fine.