running mach 3 with a usb to parallel adapter

**Kendrick57** · 18-02-2015

Hi
Its for use with a laptop with no built in parallel port running windows 7 I Have worked out how to make a power setting with NO power saveing features at all.
if as you all say a usb to parallel converter will not work then could I use one of those PCMCIA parallel port cards?
kendrick

**njhussey** · 18-02-2015

Why not buy a second hand dediacted PC off fleabay, they're only about £50 for a base unit?

**Kendrick57** · 18-02-2015

I've just been investigating a diferent route a dedicated usb to parallel port adapter designed for use with Cnc machines the UC100 at a little under £100 not the cheapes but can easily move from computer to computer.
kendrick

**Neale** · 18-02-2015

That's not just a usb-parallel converter, that's a motion controller in its own right. I've no experience of them but in general terms an external motion controller like this, in conjunction with Mach3, can solve a lot of timing and parallel port issues, particularly if you are using a laptop with its more problematic timing characteristics.

It might not be the cheapest usb-parallel converter but it's pretty cheap for a motion controller.

**paulus.v** · 18-02-2015

Originally Posted by Kendrick57

I've just been investigating a diferent route a dedicated usb to parallel port adapter designed for use with Cnc machines the UC100 at a little under £100 not the cheapes but can easily move from computer to computer.
kendrick

Going with the UC300 you will have a lot more inputs and outputs than one parallel port plus some analog ones, which means you will need a cheap BOB with only optocouplers and screw terminals.

**Ger21** · 18-02-2015

A friend of mine with a UC100 actually switched from Mach3 to their UCCNC software, and found that it performed better than Mach3. It's 1/3 the price as well. The downside is that it's new, and right now doesn't have as many features as Mach3 does.

**Kendrick57** · 18-02-2015

Originally Posted by Ger21

A friend of mine with a UC100 actually switched from Mach3 to their UCCNC software, and found that it performed better than Mach3. It's 1/3 the price as well. The downside is that it's new, and right now doesn't have as many features as Mach3 does.

as far as the UC300 is concerned that would require a major modification of the cnc's controller box not somthing I want to do with this machine, the UC100 is to a major degree plug and play.
I already have the Mach3 license I did not think that UCCNC was compatable with the 6040 China machine I bought, before jazz and the rest of those out there that hate the chineese cnc range of machines sorry it's a fait accompli I am only interested in constructive comments on questions asked not my choice of machine.
kendrick

**njhussey** · 18-02-2015

It's not the CNC machine that the software talks to, it's the BOB/controller...this then sends pulses to the machine's steppers to move the spindle to the desired positions.

The Chinese machines serve a purpose and if you accept and work within their limitations then I think that they're great as you're then a member of the CNC world....

**JAZZCNC** · 20-02-2015

Originally Posted by Kendrick57

before jazz and the rest of those out there that hate the chineese cnc range of machines sorry it's a fait accompli I am only interested in constructive comments on questions asked not my choice of machine.

How Rude.!!!. . . Did I say a word about the pile of shite.?

The UC100 is ok but it's still USB based and therefore will at some time have same power dropout issues lots of USB based devices encounter. Esp with a Laptop.!

For spindle control thru software you'll need speed control board or BOB that has one built into it. If Chinese machine came with the cheap Nasty DC spindle then chances are it won't have this and speed will be controlled directly from the DC speed controller with a Pot.
If spindle is AC and controlled with VFD then you may have BOB with PWM output so can control speed using this.

**alextory** · 07-10-2015

I have a UC300 which I've used with Mach3 and was better than just the parallel port on the PC. I now use it with UCCNC and it's another big step up from using it with Mach3. UCCNC and UC300 are designed for each other, with Mach3 you're relying on a third party plugin sitting between Mach3 and the hardware. UC300 is a good option if like me you want to add more sensors like probes and FR override control. The other advantage is you can move beyond WinXP/7 on your controller PC which when you also use it for running Vectric software is a huge advantage. Running mine on a Win10 machine and it's as happy as Larry.