A 24V connection to the USB motion card is only needed if you are using limit switches (inputs), powering the spindle/VFD speed and direction, and for the outputs, for powering other devices (mist, coolant, etc.).

If you are using a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive, also called Inverter) for a spindle, they typically have a 24V out terminal that can be used with our USB motion card. If you are not using a spindle/VFD (we highly recommend one), then you will need to purchase a 24v power supply to power that side of the board.

The outputs mentioned above are to connect to external devices and will require a relay (a mechanical switch that is controlled by a digital signal). This mechanical switch can turn on a device like coolant and mist, or even a router, if you are using one. A relay is required to turn on these devices because the devices are typically higher voltage, like mains (110v or 220v). So, a relay can turn on or off a high voltage device with a lower voltage (24v) signal.

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How do I connect the outputs on the Mach3 USB motion card?

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?

A 24V connection to the USB motion card is only needed if you are using limit switches (inputs), powering the spindle/VFD speed and direction, and for the outputs, for powering other devices (mist, coolant, etc.).

If you are using a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive, also called Inverter) for a spindle, they typically have a 24V out terminal that can be used with our USB motion card. If you are not using a spindle/VFD (we highly recommend one), then you will need to purchase a 24v power supply to power that side of the board.

The outputs mentioned above are to connect to external devices and will require a relay (a mechanical switch that is controlled by a digital signal). This mechanical switch can turn on a device like coolant and mist, or even a router, if you are using one. A relay is required to turn on these devices because the devices are typically higher voltage, like mains (110v or 220v). So, a relay can turn on or off a high voltage device with a lower voltage (24v) signal.

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How do I connect the outputs on the USB motion card for Mach3?

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 controller board is currently only compatible with Planet-CNC software.

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Can I use Mach3 or 4 with your USB controller PCA?

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?

No, the Mach3 USB controller only works with Mach3. If you wish to use Mach4, I would recommend this very feature-rich controller:
Pokeys57CNC controller https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

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does the Mach3 USB Controller support Mach4

The Mach3 100 kHz controller may be able to support the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode, but I have not tried it. There is no information in the documentation that is related to the parameter that can be set in Mach3 for the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode. You may be able to play with the available kHz ranges that the plugin allows to see if there is a pulse width that meets the Sherline 1/2 pulse mode specification.

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[575] Does the USB MACH3 controller support Sherline 1/2 pulse mode?

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

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?

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 board has been developed and we are currently waiting to receive developer info from the makers of Mach4 so we can proceed with testing compatibility. There is no definite time frame but we are hopeful it will be released within the next couple months.

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Any timing on the USB Controller board for Mach-4

Yes, you can use 2 motors in the same axis output, however you will still need a driver for that motor! Also depending on the orientation on which you mount the motor you might have to invert the direction of the motor, and that will be simple by swapping the A+,A-, to the B+,B- locations and vice versa, from the driver to the motor wiring.

Also you can run a slave motor using another axis on the board, and setting it up in the Planet-CNC settings.

Planet-CNC/File/Settings/Axes, here you will enter 3 in the Number of Axes location, and then change the Function of the Axis 4 to Slave 1. There you will have the 4th axis or A-axis be a slave for the x-axis.
Slave 1 - X-Axis
Slave 2 - Y-Axis
Slave 3 - A-Axis
Slave 4 - B-Axis
Etc...

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Can I run two stepper motors off the same axis output on the USB controller?

To use a touch plate on any controller, all you need is a conductive flat material with a known thickness and some wire and alligator clips. Solder a wire to the touch plate and connect the other end of the wire to the free input terminal of the controller. Connect a wire with an alligator clip to the ground of the controller (on the Mach3 USB controller, this ground is the DCM terminal, or the digital gnd on the 24VDC power supply). Connect the alligator clip to the end mill.

You can either use a script to serve as the probe, or you can use the ref all home button and setup the touch plate as a home switch.

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I there a tutorial on hooking up a Z axis zero touch plate to the usb controller?

If you are using a spindle with a VFD, there is a 24 volt power supply that will provide the correct power for the V+ and V- on the Mach3 USB. The 12V option is only if you are using the limit switches on that side of the board, but if you are using it to control spindle speed and for the outputs, it's best to use a 24V power supply, or the 24V output on the VFD.

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Closed loop

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Can i use 12v in the 24v input

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The mach3 USB card requires 24V, how do I supply this?

The wiring instructions for the USB controller can be found here: https://www.buildyourcnc.com/tutorials/tutorial-Electronics-USB-Interface-Wiring

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how to connect USB controller to the drivers. Any instructions/video other then html datasheet?

If you are using the AWC708 or equivalent laser controller, the limit switches will connect between the EL input terminal and the GND terminal in normally open (NO) connection. Most limit switches can be connected as NO, or normally closed (NC).

For instance, a limit switch for the X- limit will be connected from the ELX- terminal to the NO connection of the limit switch, then a connection from the GND terminal on the laser controller to the COM connection to the same limit switch.

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How should I connect the limit switches to my laser controller?

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.