The Mach3 USB interface card uses 5V (powered from the computer's USB) and a 24v to power the inputs, outputs and spindle control

the mach3 usb interface can be found here:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

But the mach3 usb does not absolutely need the 24V supply. The 24v supply is only needed if you will be using limit switches (I1-4), VFD controlled automatically and for use with the outputs (O1-4)


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The 36v 8.8 amp power supply we typically recommend is for powering the stepper motor drivers.

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Can I power the Mach3 USB interface 24V with a 48V power supply?

What problems are you experiencing?

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Are you able to install a newer version of Mach3? If you are worried that your configuration will be lost, you can save the configuration by copying all of the XML files from the Mach folder. The XML files contain all of the settings that you applied in Mach3. Just in case the XML files are not compatible with the new version, make sure not to erase the current Mach3 that you have on the machine.

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[575] How do I get the USB Driver to work with Mach3 Version 1.84

Ok. Email me at customerservice@buildyourcnc.com to setup the return.

Thanks.

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I would like to return the Mach3 USB CNC Interface I just received. I am not continuing the project requiring it.

The Mach3 USB controller is specifically engineered to integrate seamlessly with Mach3's CNC control software. Easel, on the other hand, offers an all-in-one CAD/CAM solution along with machine control capabilities. While Easel can output standard G-code compatible with industry-standard post-processors, it can serve as a design tool when used in conjunction with Mach3 but not as the machine control software.

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[575] Will the Mach3 USB interface board support other software such as Easel?

Yes, Mach3 (the software profram) will work with Windows 7, and windows 10 when coupled with the Mach3 USB interface. If you intend to use the parallel port driver, stick with Windows 7 in 32-bit mode.

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Rnrmotion.dll is a dynamic link library which is very similar in function to an executable program, or app. Since a dll is executable, malicious code can be embedded in that type of file, so windows will automatically flag all files of this type. You just need to make sure you are downloading from a trusted source. The emotion.dll file on our site is clean, but still run run windows defender against it to make sure.

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Why does Windows 10 block the RnRmotion.dill for Mach3 USB interface from being downloaded?

Rnrmotion.dll is a dynamic link library that is very similar in function to an executable program, or app. Since a dll is executable, malicious code can be embedded in that type of file, so windows will automatically flag all files of this type. You just need to make sure you are downloading from a trusted source. The emotion.dll file on our site is clean, but still, run windows defender against it to make sure.

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Why does Windows 10 block the RnRmotion.dill for Mach3 USB interface from being downloaded?

The Mach3 USB board will fit in the redLeaf, but you may need to modify the Plexiglas top for proper mounting. However, the redLeaf has the proper parallel GPIO on the motherboard for use with the Parallel breakout board. If you have a laser on the machine you are using, then I would urge you to maintain the parallel breakout board as the Mach3 USB board will not work correctly using the Z-direction pin and you will need to determine how to use the output pins onthe USB board to ensure proper laser functionality.

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Will Mach3 USB Interface board fit in my redleaf, in lieu of the breakout board that came with it?

Depending on the probe that you have, you should have two wires coming from the probe. One of those two wires will need to be connect to an input pin as shown in this wiring diagram (the diagram show the probe connected to pin I4):
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Documents/Electric%20Wiring%20Diagram.pdf

The other pin is connected to V-. Please make sure that you have 24V connected to the V- and V+ on that side of the Mach3 USB board.

The way the probe works is when the probe is in contact with an object, a specific spring mechanism will cause the input pin to be connected to the V- (close the circuit). When Mach3 senses an active low on the input pin, mach3 knows that the probe has made contact (closed the circuit).

If your probe is used as a Z-Axis zero plate, then the concept is the same, but the end mill is connected to V- and the plate is connected to the input pin. If the plate comes in contact to the end mill, then the circuit is closed and mach3 will sense an active low on the input pin.

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Mach3 USB interface board. Could you please give me the correct wiring configuration for tool prob?

To connect an emergency stop (e-stop) to the Mach3 USB controller, use the emergency stop switch/button on the NO (normally open) connections of the switch. Connect one side of the NO connection to IN1 and the other side of the NO connection to the DCM, or GND (V-) of the 24V power supply that is used to power the Mach3 USB controller.

Additional Information:
The configuration in Mach3 should be default if you used the XML file that is here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

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Mach3 USB CNC Interface EMERGENCY STOP

"Semi automatic" measuring is possible.
1. Place movable tool sensor (touch plate) on material.
2. Click "Measure Offset Z". Tool will move down, touch sensor and move up.
3. "Measure Offset Z" button is still down.
4. Click "Offset - Current Z" - this will set offset Z
5. Click "Measure Offset Z" again to release it and restore normal mode."

The connections to the USB interface is as follows:
- The spindle is connected to the gnd terminal (which is also connected to the end mill). Alternatively, you can connect the gnd directly to the end mill is access is permitted.
- The touch plate (movable tool sensor) is connected to the Z-- terminal.

What will happen: When the end mill (gnd) is in contact with the touch plate (Z--), there will be a connection from gnd to the Z-- triggering this Z-- action and the software will recognize the connection (like a button press, or a limit switch triggering).

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How do I connect a Z-Axis touch plate to the Planet-CNC USB interface?

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?

The inputs on the Mach3 USB board require that you complete the circuit with the V-, so that means that the inputs will fire on a high signal, hence the "Active High". That is simply how the Mach3 USB board is designed. The inputs, output and spindle connections on that side of the board require the V+ and V- to be connected to a 24V supply (most spindle VFDs have an available 24V output terminal for this use).

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Touch plate signal works and script is loaded but no touch plate function

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Mach3 USB Interface Board, My switch inputs are def wired active-LOW but I need to set them as active-HI (red x) in ports & pins to make them work correctly, why would this be?

The Mach3 USB interface card uses 5V (powered from the computer's USB) and a 24v to power the inputs, outputs and spindle control

the mach3 usb interface can be found here:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

But the mach3 usb does not absolutely need the 24V supply. The 24v supply is only needed if you will be using limit switches (I1-4), VFD controlled automatically and for use with the outputs (O1-4)


Additional Information:
The 36v 8.8 amp power supply we typically recommend is for powering the stepper motor drivers.

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The electronics for my current cnc machine has a 36v 8.8 amp power supply. Is this power supply sufficient to power my new Mach3 USB interface?

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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Would I be able to use the Mach3 CNC Control Software or any of the CNC CAM Software(BOBCAD/CAM,CAMBAM) if I choose to use the Planet-CNC USB Interface Board?

Ah! Found it thanks https://www.buildyourcnc.com/Documents/USB%20Motion%20Card%20STB4100%20Manual.pdf

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Excellent!!

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Is there a downloadable manual for the usb Mach3 interface board? I'm not sure one came with my Redleaf. Cheers.

Yes, you can connect a THC, Torch Height Controller, with the Mach3 USB controller. The THC uses the inputs to determine if the z axis needs to move up or down according to the arc of the plasma torch. The THC connects its outputs to the inputs of the controller so the controller will be informed of the states of the plasma torch.

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I am interested in using the Mach3 USB interface board. I was wondering if there was a way to run a torch height controller with this board for use with a plasma cutter, and if so do you know of any THCs that will work. Thank you.

In our experience, the backlash compensation is not an ideal mechanism to solve backlash issues. It is best to resolve the backlash issue mechanically regather than through software.

Boards that handle all instructions on its own chip (which is the case for this all other USB boards) take some control away from Mach3. Without Mach3 having granular control. With that said, we do not have experience with the backlash compensation with that particular board. Our experience with backlash compensation with other boards have resulted in very poor accuracy and undesirable geometrical moves.

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Mach3 USB Interface Board, Backlash Compensation in Mach3 is not working. Does this board support the backlash function?

Our MAch3 USB interface boards can be located here:

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

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I AM INTERESTED IN THE 3 AXIS COMBO USB OPTION. NOTICE YOU ENDORSE PLANET-CNC FOR USE WITH THIS BUT WILL MACH3 INTERFACE WELL BEAK OUT BOARD?

Sure, the USB interface has a place for 4 axes of limit switches.

Each axis can have two limit switches: one for the ++ (positive) end and one for the -- (negative) end. The positive end would be the limit switch at the end of the machine that, say the machine has a 4'x8' area, reaches a bit after the 8 foot mark. The negative end would be the limit switch behind the 0 foot location behind the origin. If the origin is in the middle, the negative would be at a little more than the -4 foot end and the positive would be at a bit more than the +4 foot end. Note that you can have more than one switch on each pin where the NC is connected in serial fashion and the NO is connected in parallel fashion (this can be seen on the diagram in the multiple limits switch section). The software configurations for the limits switches are under File -> Settings -> Limit.

A typical limit switch has three connections on it. These connections consist of COM (common), NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). The COM would generally go to GND and the NC or the NO would go to the pin. If the NC is used, then the the switch is constantly connected until the switch is pushed (engaged) then the connection from the pin to gnd is broken (open). Use the settings in software to set whether in NC or NO configuration.

Let me know if this information was helpful (or not) by adding information to this question. Thanks.

User response:
Thank you very much for this helpful information. I'm still a little fuzzy on how the 6 limit switches physically connect to each other and to the USB breakout board. You've stated one switch (home) goes to positive and another switch (limit) goes to negative. Are all the GND prongs from all 6 switches connected to each other and going to GND on the breakout board, or no? And the NC prongs, how exactly are they connected to each other? And to the board? There has to be a diagram somewhere shows this visually, no? I don't know how to wire the switches in series or in parallel. I have already physically installed all the switches on the machine and ran the wires to where the board is. Now I just need to know where to plug these wires into the board. Also, taking into consideration that I'm using the Planet CNC software, the only settings I have pertaining to limit switches is "Enable/Disable" for each axis, and the actual limit for each axis. Nothing about NC or NO. Is that only in Mach3?
Thank you.

buildyourcnc response:
On the USB interface, the COM on the switch connects to GND and the NC or NO connects to the input pin (i.e. x++, y--, etc.)

Limit switch configuration is rather difficult to understand, especially with series and parallel. You can think of series as a single wire going from GND to the axis letter input terminal (i.e. X++ or X--). If the wire is broken, then the circuit is open (or the switch is engaged in a normally closed scenario). Normally closed is like an actual wire, and when engaged, the switch "opens" (breaks the wire). This is why we recommend in some systems that you can put many switches in series on a single pin. When one of the switches is engaged (breaking the connection) then the entire circuit of switches is broken and the machine stops.

In a parallel scenario, the state of the circuit is always broken until the one of the switches is engaged and the circuit is then closed or connected. The topology looks like a ladder. All the switches connect to both sides of the ladder and the switches are like the runs of the ladder (the horizontal bars that the feet are placed while climbing). Imagine all of the switches broken in this scenario (normally open). It would be like the ladder could be split in two, but if one of the ladder runs (switches) is closed by engaging it, then that run would connect both sides of the ladder and the two sides of the ladder would have a connection.

There is a diagram on the USB page of the various limit switch configurations. If you need more information (visual and/or otherwise), please let us know and we will immediately add that information to benefit everyone.

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WILL THE USB BREAKOUT BOARD WORK WITH MACH3?