Duet Controller or ebay spesh???

[JAZZCNC]

Morning Jazz, thanks for replying, what is UCCNC like? I have seen mach3 on youtube but I thought it looked a bit primitive at first glance but I have never used it. Any comments/advice on both would be most appreciated mate

Well firstly before answering this you need to understand exactly what Mach3 or UCCNC or any machine controller for that matter does exactly.? It's common for new users to believe they do more than they actually do.

The function of the machine controller, any of them, can be broken down into 4 basic parts, this is a very basic explanation of some complex actions but should help you understand. #1 trajectory planner #2 Pulse engine #3 Input signals #4 output signals.

#1 Takes the G-code file which you create in CAM software and plans out the path and trajectory it's going to take.
#2 This is the part that talks to the motor drives so they move the correct distances.
#3 These are watched to monitor things like sensors or buttons etc so the controller can then do something in response.
#4 These are the opposite of Inputs, they send signals OUT to control other things like starting the spindle, etc.

So as you can see while visually they may appear primitive behind the scenes they are very complex creatures, that said this doesn't mean they are complex to use. Setting them up, entering parameters, etc is a little more involved but still not rocket science.

From a typical user's point, they are actually quite basic, so in a nutshell, you simply load the G-code file, set Zero for each axis, and push the go button. So it's easy for them to appear primitive but rest assured behind the scenes there is complex stuff going on.

Obviously, there is a little more to them but basically, all controllers do the same job it's just that some like UCCNC are more refined and have fewer bugs but there are other factors to consider like support.
UCCNC is fully supported unlike mach3, it's also made by the same people who manufacture the controller so there are no hardware/software conflicts where the software people don't or won't play nice with each other which is another common issue with mach3 or mach4 and other separate hardware-software suppliers that can cripple a controllers usability.

So getting down to brass tacks as a user you don't actually do very much with the control software other than load code and set it off, from then on you are just watching a few areas of the screen and pushing a few buttons if you want to pause it running or when changing tools, etc. So in some ways they are actually primitive or can appear primitive and that goes pretty much for all of them, yes some look better than others but they do the same job.

Don't confuse Mach3 or UCCNC with Cam software which creates the G-code file you need to cut the job.

Hope this helps.