I created a video to demonstrate how to use the outputs on the Mach3 USB controller. You can find this video on the following page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Scroll down to the 5th video on that page. The title of the video is: Mach3 USB Controller Outputs

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How do I use the outputs on the Mach3 USB controller?

The mach3 control software will work with all major CAM software (CAMBAM, Aspire and Vectric, BobCAD/CAM, ArtCAM, Dolphin CAM, CAM software that integrate with SolidWorks and AutoDesk Inventor, and many more).

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Is there any other software that will work with your controller Mach3?

Yes, you can add a relay to the Mach3 USB controller. The relay must be a 24V relay on it's input side and be able to be set to active low. I demonstrate this in a video on the following page:
https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

The video is titled: Mach3 USB Controller Outputs

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Can I add a relay to the Mach3 USB controller?

You can find all of the wiring instructions for the Mach3 USB controller here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

Scroll down until you see the videos. The wiring instructions cover wiring all of the axes, setting up the inputs to sense limit switches, setting up the outputs and how to diagnose the outputs, setting up an external relay to control external devices, and setting up spindle speed.

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where can I find wiring instructions for the Mach3 USB controller?

Yes, you can use the 4 axis kit and use two of the motors on the gantry. You will need to wire the gantry axis motors to the same step and direction signals on the controller interface. For example, if the gantry axis is the X axis, then on the controller step and direction terminals (CP and CW) is wired to both of the stepper motor drivers for the X axis.

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4 axis kit can I use 2 motors for the gantry with one controller card? or I buy the 3 axis kit instead?

Yes, you can use a corner plate very easily. You will want to make a corner plate that has three independent plates that do not conduct with each other. Each of these plates will be connected to a different input (i.e. IN1 for X, IN2 for Y and IN3 for Z). The end mill or tool that is inserted into the spindle will connect to V- of the 24V power supply, or the DCM on the controller, which is connected to the 24V V-. Then, you can use the ref all home button on the program run screen of Mach3.

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Is there a way to use an X,Y plate that will only be responsible for corner finding in Mach3 with the Mach3 USB controller?

I would suggest using the NPN proximity sensor for the Mach3 USB or the Pokeys57cnc. The proximity sensors have a top DC voltage limit of 30 volts, so it would be best to use the 24V power supply that is used to power the controller. Both controllers have a 24V power requirement, so that is convenient.

The blue wire of the proximity sensor is the GND wire and is connected to the 24V power supply's V- terminal. The brown wire is the positive wire and is connected to the V+ terminal of the 24V power supply. The black wire is the signal wire and is connected to the input terminal of the controller.

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How can I connect an inductive proximity sensor to the Mach3 USB controller?

The USB Interface can only be used with the Planet-CNC software which runs under the windows operating system.

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Can the USB CNC Controller be used with LinuxCNC?

Yes, proximity sensors work similarly to limit switches. There are three connections that connect to the signal (input terminal) and two power connections that is connected to the 24V power supply that supplies the Mach3 USB controller. I have only tested NPN proximity switches with that controller in NO (normally open mode).

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Is it possible to add proximity sensors with your USB Controller Board

The instructions on how to use a plate for z-axis homing (moveable sensor) can be found here:

http://www.planet-cnc.com/faq/moveable_sensor/

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How do you zero the z axis using a plate with the planet-cnc software and your USB controller?

The USB controller will only work with the Planet-CNC software. This software is well made and will provide great functionality. The planet-cnc software delivers instructions to the microcontroller on the board and the microcontroller will send out the pulse trains needed to move the machine correctly.

There are two main alternatives if you want to use the mach3 software:
First, get a parallel port card and add it to your computer and get a parallel breakout board. If you have a laptop/notebook computer, this will not be possible.
Second, if you have a laptop, or really want to use the USB as the main interface for controlling the machine, you will need to get the smoothstepper board which works with mach3. The price combination is much higher than the USB controller with planet-cnc, but will work with Mach3.

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The planet cnc controller can be prone to electrical interference and has been known to cause such problems. In the first instance try to use a quality double sheilded USB cable, hopefully this will fix your problem. Alternatively you may need to sheild your limit switch, estop and or motor cabling. My pick is that a quality USB cable will fix it though, worked for me.

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I have your USB controller sitting here and want to control it with something other than PlanetCNC control software?

Planet-CNC is the control software. If you decide to use the USB controller, you will need to use the planet-CNC software as the control software. You will be able to use any of the CAM software applications with the planet-CNC control software.

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Can I use your USB interface board and Mach3 on my 3 axis CNC router?

We could not guarantee, nor say, whether or not your current software would be able to utilize the USB breakout board. Our USB breakout board is designed for use with Planet CNC software found here, http://www.planet-cnc.com/index.php?page=software

As far as we know, this is the only CNC Controller software that operates on a USB breakout controller.

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I want to change my old DSP controller and break out board with new one in your site that support usb it is possible ? if yes can we contact us to talking about details ?

The Mach3 usb controller/interface has instructions and videos on this page:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

There is a 5 step process on that page to install the plug-in and the configuration xml file that is necessary for the proper functioning of the controller.

The videos on that page also demonstrate in detail how to install the software, plug-ins, xml file and wiring and testing most of the features of the Mach3 USB interface.

Hope this helps.

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good day, does this controller board support the M11/M10 command set.

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How do you install the software for the Mach3 USB controller?

The mach3 control software will work with all major CAM software (CAMBAM, Aspire and Vectric, BobCAD/CAM, ArtCAM, Dolphin CAM, CAM software that integrate with SolidWorks and AutoDesk Inventor, and many more).

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Is there a kit or actual product that can be wired into the Mach3 controller to give me virtual zero

Is this regarding the Mach3 USB controller?

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I'm having a problem with my controller card: I can measure 24 volts going to the card, but when I set Mach3 outputs I reagister no voltage. Please help

The BobCAD post processor that will work with the USB interface that uses the Planet-CNC software:

According to the Planet-cnc folks, wincnc or mach3 post-processors should work. According to a representative at BobCAD, mach3 post-processor should work.

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Do you know which BobCAD-CAM post processor works with your USB controller? Do you have a dll or command document to communicate with your USB controller?

You can control our 40W laser power supply (which controls the laser tube) with an Arduino, if that is your intention. The trigger for turning the laser on and off uses a 5V level. To control intensity, you can use the Arduino PWM output. If you want the Arduino to move the machine as well (providing pulse trains to each of the stepper motor drivers) then you will need to make sure you consider the processing speed of the Arduino so you will be able to run the stepper motors at the speed you need for the laser engraving/cutting.

Our laser controller do all of these functions. Here is a link to our laser control system:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/Laser-Component-Laser-Control-System



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Thank you! I am building a 3 axis cnc/ engraver and I think this would be a good option as well as the router head and the 3d printing head. How heavy is the tube? I may mount it directly onto one of the axis of the machine to eliminate the need to line up all three axis, similar to what you have with your xl engraver.

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The tube isn't that heavy, but when filled with water, it can get up to a few pounds. The key is to use the axis moving the nozzle for engraving as this requires fast back and forth motion. The cutting is generally dependent on the axes moving from vector to vector at a relatively slow motion, so this is not a problem.

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I would like to build a low cost laser engraver/ cutter, can your 40w laser power supply be controlled with an arduino or is it only controlled by the controller sold here?

To implement a electronics combo to run you Proxxon MF70, you will need to find the correct drive components (ACME screw, linear rail, etc) and look into any specific modifications needed to your rig.
I would recommend the USB 3 Axis Large Motors Electronics w/ USB Interface Board.
Since the machine is metal, our larger motors would be highly recommended.

We have not done this conversion, through research is recommended.

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Hi I have a Proxxon MF70, I want to add 3axis stepper with controller and software by USB. Can you suggest a kit for me? Thanks.