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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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.

Our MAch3 USB interface boards can be located here:

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

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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?

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.

Additional Information:
zokkj

Additional Information:
zokkj

Additional Information:
zokkj

Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I am interested in the 3 axis combo USB option. I notice you endorse the Planet-CNC for use with this but will Mach3 interface well with the USB beak out Board?

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Mach3 USB interface board. Could you please give me the correct wiring configuration for tool prob?

The dimensions for our USB breakout board are:

L: 2.745"/ 69.723mm
W: 2.244"/ 56.9976mm
H: .501"/ 12.7254mm

Currently we do not have a CAD model on hand.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
What are the overall dimensions of the USB interface board? Is there a CAD model available?

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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?

The Mach3 USB controller only works with Mach3. We have a controller that works with Mach3 and Mach4 called pokeys57CNC controller.
Here is a link to that controller:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi Do you know if your Mach3 interface board works with any of other of the current CAM programs such as MACH4?

The Mach3 USB controller only works with Mach3. We have a controller that works with Mach3 and Mach4 called pokeys57CNC controller.
Here is a link to that controller:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Hi Do you know if your Mach3 interface board works with any of other of the current CAM programs such as MACH4?

If your computer does not have a parallel port, all you will need is a low cost PCI parallel adapter card (these can be found on amazon for $15-$20). If you plan on using a laptop (not recommended) you can try to find a PCMCIA parallel adapter, but many people have frequent issues with this setup. A more expensive solution would be to purchase a USB smooth stepper board. Unfortunately, we do not supply any of these adapters and cannot attest to their reliability.

Additional Information:
ur gay

Additional Information:

Click the link to add information to this solution:
MY COMPUTER DOES NOT HAVE A PARALLEL PORT. HOW DO I INTERFACE WITH THE BREAKOUT BOARD?

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
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?

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

You will probably need to use the Mach3 USB board with Mach3. We have not tested the Mach3 usb card with Mach4.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Whereb can I find directions on how to install the Mach3 USB board with Mach 4 software? I do not have a parallell port.

Yes, you can use a laptop if you have a controller that uses a USB, like the Mach3 USB card. If you don't have that, you can purchase that part here:
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach3-USB-Board

If you have a controller board that connects to a 25 pin connector, modern laptops will not be able to connect to that port.

How old is your CNC computer system?

Additional Information:
The CNC computer system is 2013 (5 years). The built in video card went out. I will order the Mach3 USB card. Thank you.

Additional Information:
You're welcome

Click the link to add information to this solution:
The motherboard on the computer I bought from you went out. What would you suggest. I have a laptop, could I use it and use a Mach3 USB interface board?

We are currently getting it completed for us to post it under the 2.5A stepper driver page. However here is the correct wiring procedure.

First: Wire the 24V power supply to the 2.5A driver, by wiring +V on the power supply to 12-24V on the driver. Next wire the COM on the power supply to Ground(GND) on the 2.5A driver. GND on the driver will also go to the GND on the USB board, for specific axis. (additional 3-4 wires connected to ground will be needed for the other axes as well).

Second: Wire the USB board to the driver(one driver per axis on the USB board):
CP on the driver will go to CP on the desired axis on the USB board.
CW on the driver will go to CW on the desired axis on the USB board.
5V will go to the VCC pin on the keyboard jog pins on the USB board (check schematic here: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-USB-Controller-Breakout#prettyPhoto/2/).
GND on the USB board to GND on the driver. (as specified in step 1).
EN is not used.

Personal Note:
I would recommend that you crimp the VCC pin to a wire which could be split for the other axes as well, each driver will need 5V.

Third: Wire the stepper motor to the driver, (using either the Nema 23 100-oz or the Nema 17 62-oz stepper motors, the wiring will be the same. For the Nema 23 the yellow and white is not connected.)
Black to A1
Green to A2
Red to B1
Blue to B2

Fourth: Repeat steps 1-3 for each driver/motor per axis.

Mention: Remember that GND on the driver will also go to the GND on the USB board for specific axis, and VCC pin on the USB board (keyboard jog) will go to 5V on all drivers for each axes as well, each driver will need 5V!

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Is there a complete wiring diagram for the Medium Combo Kit with the usb board? Your USB tutorial does not cover the modular 2.5a drivers. https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-3axis-100-elcombo

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
[575] Will the Mach3 USB interface board support other software such as Easel?

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

Thanks.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
I would like to return the Mach3 USB CNC Interface I just received. I am not continuing the project requiring it.

The port used with the Mach3 USB controller is Port 3. The pin associated with the input you are using matches the input terminal you are using. For instance, if you are using IN2, the pin number is 2.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
What is the correct pin and port setting for auto tool zero on the Mach3 USB interface board. the auto tool macro works but does not stop lowering the bit when it touches the touch plate. It does not blink the digitizer button in the diagnostic menu when the circuit is completed.

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.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Can I power the Mach3 USB interface 24V with a 48V power supply?

At this time we are working to release a new USB controller board that will be compatible with Mach4 software and do not have any immediate plans to update the Planet-CNC USB board.

Click the link to add information to this solution:
Are there plans to release a USB Controller to work with the Planet CNC Output Board for more advanced spindle control from within Planet CNC?