You can adapt the Mach3 USB controller to control a laser, but I would not recommend it. A traditional laser controller that is designed to control a laser is far better since you can take advantage of more sophisticated features like sweep for engraving, and automatic adjustment of laser intensity for acceleration and deceleration. The Mach3 USB controller can move the axes and turn the laser on and off, but intensity control and engraving are not an option.

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[575] Will this board operate a laser cutter and engraver

I have not tried using the handwheel inputs for anything other than for handwheel operation. I haven't had success using a THC with the Mach3 USB controller. The pokeys57CNC controller is a better solution for THC (torch height controller) and plasma cutter use.

Here is a link to the okeys57CNC controller: https://buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

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[575] can the handwheel inputs be used for thc

If you take the standard parallel cable BoB (Break Out Board), then you will need control software (Mach 3 or EMC2) and CAM software to make your G-Code (such as CamBam). Personally I use CamBam and Mach 3, they work beautifully but don't expect to turn them on and know how they work out of the box. Give yourself a few weeks to get familiar with the basics. CamBam is VERY powerful software for it's price. I'm surprised how much I keep learning on what I can do with it...I highly recommend it if you want as much control as possible.

Mach 3 + CamBam as a bundle costs $310. EMC2 will give you a free replacement for Mach 3 and is exclusively for Linux.

If you use the USB BoB, it will cost an extra $75 + $75 for the software. This is an all-in-one package so no need for Mach 3 or CamBam.

For etching rasters (jpeg, bmp, tiff, non-vectors, photos), I highly recommend PicEngrave. It has been a labor of love for the past 9 years and John has done a wonderful job with it. It easily compares in quality compared to software that is in the $200-$300 range. John's software runs $40 and can be found here: http://picengrave.com/ (don't let the modest website fool you, this stuff can do amazing things). DotG and the Mach3 engrave plugin are two other options and instructions can be found on Dustans page in the gallery on buildyourcnc.com website.

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Additional Information:



Additional Information:

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WHAT SOFTWARE CAN BE USED WITH THE BLACKTOOTH LASER CUTTER?

Yes, this CNC controller can be used with closed-loop stepper drivers and motors. The loop for control and feedback is between the driver and the motor. The closed-loop driver receives step and direction signals, which this controller will output which furnishes the driver with the necessary signals to move the motor. Additionally, the closed-loop driver can output a fault signal to this controller through the controller's input terminals in case the motor should encounter a situation that prevents the motor from moving so the CNC can shut down.

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[575] Hi, Can I use this board with a closed loop stepper?

The THC and the triggering of the plasma are actually two different functions of a controller. To trigger a plasma cutter, you can use one of the outputs of the Mach3 USB controller (out 1, 2, 3, or 4). That output can be connected to a relay that connects to the two wires that will trigger the plasma.

This video will show how this is done:

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[575] How can I wire/ configure for a plasma cutter without THC? Plasma cutter has a cnc port, where when you short two of the pins, it activates the cutter. Just looking to see how to make that short when pressing f5 in Mach3.

I do not recommend using the Mach3 USB controller to be used with a torch height controller. There are only 4 inputs on the Mach3 USB controller. We have tried to interface a Proma THC to this board without success; however, we did not exhaust all possibilities.

I would recommend the Pokeys57CNC controller to connect the Proma THC as I have interfaced these two before and they work well together.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

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[575] Hello. Does this USB interface board thc? I have the proma 150.

The plasma nozzle must be close to the cutting area and you will need some way to keep the nozzle at the right level with some type of device. The spray is downward, so you will need a contained area with a sheet of water at the bottom to extinguish he spray. You should have no problem using our machines for this application since you would need to product the table bed.

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CAN YOUR PRODUCTS OF MACHINES BE USED TO CREATE PLASMA TABLE?

What electronics do you have at the moment? Depending on your machine, you will need a minimum of 3 stepper motors and 3 drivers (unless your heavy axis requires two stepper motors and two drivers). You will also need an interface board that is capable of providing three inputs for the THC (Torch Height Controller), THC on, THC up and THC down, and outputs for firing the torch. I would recommend the Pokeys57CNC interface for the primary interface. This interface will connect to the stepper motor drivers and the THC. The Pokeys57CNC can also communicate via USB or Ethernet.

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Looking for electronics for a plasmacam table. It's going to to be a 5'x10' table with x,y,z axis. Will be running on windows ten with a hypertherm powermax45 xp plasma cutter. Any information or links would be greatly appreciated!

I would recommend using a separate 24VDC power supply for the controller. The 24VDC that is connected to the controller is used for delicate input signals and output signals that control external devices. To keep interference and possible current and voltage fluctuations at a minimum due to the motor load, a separate power supply would be best.

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[575] Can the 24VDC supply used for the interface board be the same supply used for stepper drivers, or do you need separate power supplies? If not, does GND and DCM need to be isolated?

The USB port located on the parallel 5 axis breakout board is for powering the board. There is no communications related to this port.

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What is the usb port for on the 5 Axis Breakout Board with Relay ($28.50)?

Yes, the Mach3 USB controller will work with the latest Windows version and in 64-bit mode. The 32-bit mode is only relevant for using the parallel port driver if you are using a parallel port breakout board. Since this controller is connected via a USB cable, the 64-bit state will work fine.

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[575] I have a 64 bit Windows 11 laptop. Will this interface board work with this? If not is there an option you can suggest.

Yes, you can use a conductive metal to serve as a zeroing block for the Z axis. All you need to do is connect the block (conductive metal) to one of the 4 inputs on the controller. The end mill must be connected to the DCM terminal (the GND of the 24V power supply) of the controller. In the inputs dialog box (config-ports and pins-inputs). Under the probe line, enter port 3 and the pin used for the block.

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[575] Hi can I use a zeroing block with mock three interface board and do you have one I can purchase and directions on how to set up

The Mach3 USB controller does not provide 5V output signals. The Inputs, Outputs, and PWM Spindle Speed terminals are separated from the 5V side of the board. The output terminals use the 24V portion of the controller and you will need a 24V power supply to make these outputs work.

Please watch the video below to completely understand how the outputs of this controller work. Make sure that you are using the RNRmotion.dll plugin and that the port for each of the outputs is set to port 3.

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[575] I cant get a 5v signal on any of the Outputs on the board. what Port# and Pin #s should I be using on Mach3?

All the options for and variations of our blackTooth laser cutter/engraver are available on our website here https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto. The wiring diagram is available here: https://buildyourcnc.com/blackToothLaserCutterAndEngraver.aspx#prettyPhoto/0/
We do not offer plans or a bill of materials for our machines at this time, but if you are interested in doing your own from scratch you can learn a lot about the design and build process from our tutorials. We wish you success in your endeavors.

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How can i get a complete list of all the components (electronics) I need for a CNC laser cutter with the laser controller? A wiring Diagram would probably be very helpful.

Yes. You don't need to power the board with 24V. The controller will work with only a USB connection to the computer. However, the Input and output terminals (IN1-4 and OUT1-4) will not work without at least 12V on the DCM and 24V terminals.

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[575] Is it possible to run board on usb power

The Mach3 USB controller will work with M3/M4/M5 or M7/M8/M9 combinations. M10/M11 is not available with the controller.

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[575] does the mach3 usb interface board support the M11/M10 command set?

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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[575] Is there a way to use an X,Y plate that will only be responsible for corner finding?

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, 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.