step and dir pulse problem Mach3

**JAZZCNC** · 06-11-2021

Originally Posted by mrmacca

Hi Jazz ,
yes its usb connection , when i first got a couple of months ago all worked fine once i installed mach3, never really cut anything due to it missing steps and waiting for a new x-axis to arrive, installed that and was still missing steps so i tried to alter settings in motor config but when i saved it just kept reverting back to 0 , so i decided to uninstall mach3 and re-install but now it lets me change and save the step and dir pulse but the motors dont actually move even though it shows them moving in the dro in mach3. so now i need to try and get the motors moving and then finally be a happy man. Cheers

Ok, then you will need the Plug-in for the controller you are using. This is why the DRO's are moving but not the machine, mach3 only provides the driver for the parallel port so any 3rd party motion controllers need to provide a piece of software called a plug-in that tells mach3 how to talk to the external motion controller.

To be honest you'll probably find it easier to start again and use a better controller because the Chinese USB controllers are notorious for being rubbish and USB it selfs isn't very stable or reliable for CNC due to being easily affected by electrical noise. Many people upgrade to an Ethernet-based controller.

Personally, I would replace it with an AXBB-E controller which is a great controller at a good price, it also has its own software called UCCCNC which is much better than mach3 and also made by the same people who make the controller so it's much better integrated with the controller and it's fully supported, unlike mach3 which is no longer supported.

The AXBB-E will also work with Mach3 if needed, I just wouldn't because UCCNC is so much better.

**mrmacca** · 06-11-2021

Cheers Jazz,
Found plugin and installed and all is working , only slight problem is that when it goes back to home its out by a couple of mm, did a cut on a small file that uses 4 passes and it looked fine , no missed steps as far as i can see not like before when it went out by miles. Anyway going to see how it goes before i decide if i am going to change anything so
thanks for all the advice.
Dave

**mrmacca** · 05-02-2022

Originally Posted by mrmacca

Cheers Jazz,
Found plugin and installed and all is working , only slight problem is that when it goes back to home its out by a couple of mm, did a cut on a small file that uses 4 passes and it looked fine , no missed steps as far as i can see not like before when it went out by miles. Anyway going to see how it goes before i decide if i am going to change anything so
thanks for all the advice.
Dave

Hi Jazz ,
Been a few months and still having problems, so will purchase controller you mentioned the AXBB-E controller ......Is that all that I need to purchase.
Cheers
Dave

**JAZZCNC** · 05-02-2022

Originally Posted by mrmacca

Hi Jazz ,
Been a few months and still having problems, so will purchase controller you mentioned the AXBB-E controller ......Is that all that I need to purchase.
Cheers
Dave

To use the AXBB-E you will need 5Vdc and 24Vdc in the control box so you might need a PSU depending on what you have already. You can use 12Vdc in place of 24Vdc if don't have it, Some people use an old PC power supply that has both 5V and 12Vdc outputs.

Other than that all you need is an Ethernet cross-over Cable if running directly to PC or a standard Ethernet cable if running through a network hub or Switch.

**mrmacca** · 05-02-2022

Originally Posted by JAZZCNC

To use the AXBB-E you will need 5Vdc and 24Vdc in the control box so you might need a PSU depending on what you have already. You can use 12Vdc in place of 24Vdc if don't have it, Some people use an old PC power supply that has both 5V and 12Vdc outputs.

Other than that all you need is an Ethernet cross-over Cable if running directly to PC or a standard Ethernet cable if running through a network hub or Switch.

Cheers for the quick reply, will let you know how i get on.