Newbie needs CNC advice

**JAZZCNC** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by Steel

Hi Jazzcnc i have to disagree with you regarding running mach3 on a parallel port laptop and your remark about frequency, i have to ask where did you get your information from as i have successfully run a old ibm T42 that wont run the correct freq for mach3 as standard the only change i made was with a bit of software that changes the freq to the correct freq for mach3, nothing to do with port voltage or power management at all on this laptop oh except for turning of the screen saver timeout.

I got my information from years of using Mach3 and dealing with people who have tried to use laptops. If you read again I didn't say cannot use Laptop I said it's lottery.!!
You where lucky and have "ONE" that works but there are many that don't and it's got nothing to do with frequency on most. Often it's because of the way laptops are designed hardware wise regards power mangement and the Voltage they provide at the port. It's known Fact and actually stated by Artsoft that Mach3 isn't Compatible or supported when using Laptops because of in consistances between them.

Only safe way to use Laptop and KNOW it will work reliably is via an external motion controller.! . . . .Parallel port becomes lottery with Laptops.

Jacks, Clive like many on here doesn't have time to waste on people who don't listen which happens often on Forums. He wasn't to me jumping down your throat he was trying to get you to listen and some times this needs Shock tactics.! . . . Don't take offense just need Tuffen up little because you'll get more along the way it's just how forums are.! . . Clives a Good Egg who knows is stuff.

Regards Materials it's not always about the Actual Hardness that makes them tuff materials to cut it's the feeds and speeds required to cut correctly. It's here were these machines often fail badly. Just because they can cut the stuff doesn't mean they are cutting it correctly. To be honest I often see adverts for these machines and it makes me laugh when they state the materials they cut. . . Why.? . . Because they can't possibly reach the feeds required To cut most of those materials correctly and the harder ones they are just not strong enough to cut.!! . . End result is poor finish quality, low accuracy and high tool wear not to mention taking for ever to cut.!

But like I say great entry level learning tools.!! . . . . . . Most that sing there praises have probably never used proper CNC Router so know no different.! . . . .Those that have will tell you it's night and day difference.!

Bucks · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

Only safe way to use Laptop and KNOW it will work reliably is via an external motion controller.! . . . .Parallel port becomes lottery with Laptops.

Is this the same as with a USB control box? our only option is a laptop as we don't have room for a PC due to our iMac! If we would need a external motion controller do you know what sort of price these would be?

**JAZZCNC** · 07-02-2017

Originally Posted by Bucks

Is this the same as with a USB control box? our only option is a laptop as we don't have room for a PC due to our iMac! If we would need a external motion controller do you know what sort of price these would be?

Any device using USB with Mach3 would be considered External Motion controller. 99% of External Motion controllers USB or Ethernet will require and come with Plug-in software for mach3. This replaces the parallel port driver and tells mach3 how to talk to the new device. There are few chinese offerings which say don't require Plug-in but these are best avoided.
The only USB devise I'd recommend for Mach3 comes from these people and is about the cheapist way to convert from PP to USB. It's called UC100. They also have other higher spec USB Motion controllers but if spending that money then I'd recommending not using USB and go with Ethernet as it's much better and more stable. USB isn't great for CNC and not all so-called USB devices are the same.!
http://cncdrive.com/UC100.html