Unfortunately, all of the attemps I have made to use this controller with a THC did not work, so I would not recommend this board for plasma machines that use a THC. THe Pokeys57CNC controller will work with several THC controllers. I have used the Proma and the PlasmaSens controllers with the Pokeys57CNC.

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[575] Does this support THC function?

There are several CAD/CAM programs out there for MacOS. Here is a list of a few: http://www.macuser.de/forum/f53/3d-2d-cad-395058/#post4499316
I've also read good things about punchCAD: http://www.punchcad.com/
Of course, there is always SketchUp if you are in a pinch. There are a few CAM plugins for SketchUp as well, but I've never used them, so I can't vouch for them.

CAD/CAM will get you as far as designing your parts and producing the g-code, but if you also want to run the CNC machine with your Mac, you will need a piece of software similar to Mach3 or EMC to run the g-code. I haven't been able to find anything like these programs that runs on Mac, so you may have to run Mach3 or EMC in Windows using Boot Camp or a virtual machine such as VMware or Parallels.

Personally, I would use the Mac to do all the CAD/CAM, then use a cheap PC to run the CNC machine.

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EasyDNC for OSX
www.dnc-x.com

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Hi guys I’m new to the cnc and I’m beginning to learn how to operate and cad-cam software also my cnc runs on Mach3 my questions is if I should use MacBook to do all designs if I can have all this software to run on Mac or I have to use windows software to operate it? I have separate small computer connected to the cnc table who have Mach3 on it please help. Also if you know any other software much easy for beginners please let me know thank you guys!
My email if needed is r1jastrzebski@gmail.com

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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Hi , thank you for your advise!

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DOES ANY OF THE SOFTWARE THAT COMES WITH IT COMPATIBLE MAC 10.6?

You can use a USB, RS232, RS485 (modbus), wireless, or hardwired MPG or Pendant with this controller. I personally use a wireless pendant with this controller without a problem.

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[575] It is possible to use Modbus MPG with your card or it is only hardware mpg allowed?

No the ZY plate is part of the machine kit not the head combo kit.

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DOES ZY PLATE COME WITH LASER HEAD COMBO.

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?

I have had no success with this controller paired with a THC
(Torch Height Controller) for plasma cutting. I would instead recommend the pokeys57CNC controller and the PlasmaSense and PlasmaSensOut THC controllers.

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-plasma-thc-plasmasenseoutandplasmasense

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[575] Could thi board be used for a plasma cutter with THC?

This controller lacks the capability for backlash compensation. While software or signal-based adjustments are feasible, they are far from optimal if the controller natively supports backlash compensation. The most effective way to address backlash is through the mechanical components of the machine itself.

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[575] Does this motion controller support Backlash Compensation?

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

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?

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 Mach3 USB will not work with Mach4. Consider the Pokeys57CNC controller instead. The Pokeys57CNC controller will work with Mach3 or Mach4 and contains more features than most CNC machines need, including 8 motor outputs, 4 onboard relays, limit home and probe inputs, galvanically isolated outputs, and much more.
https://www.buildyourcnc.com/item/electronicsAndMotors-electronic-component-breakout-Mach4-mach3-USB-ethernet-Board

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[575] Will this work with Mach4. I,m thinking to upgrade from Mach3.

Yes, you can use 12VDC for the MAch3 USB controller at the 24V and DCM terminals. I have not tested using 12VDC in conjunction with the ACM and AVI terminals (PWM output) to control the spindle speed. PWM typically requires a reference voltage (from the VFD) and it's own voltage to produce the PWM signal. I am not sure if 12VDC is sufficient for the PWM. I have tested the inputs with 12VDC and they work fine.

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[575] does the 24VDC input actually need 24 VDC if only using the input for homing switches? Can you use 12 VDC? and would it be damaged with a higher voltage than 24 VDC?

Yes, we have the optional table for the blackToe, but we need to fabricate it, which only takes one day. We generally reserve one week for the total fabrication and packing of all parts.

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DO YOU HAVE BLACKTOE MACHINES WITH TABLES READY TO GO OR HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE MAKE ONE?

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?

The pulse stream is output directly from the onboard microcontroller on the Mach3 USB controller, so there is no need for a safety charge pump from the computer to the controller. Parallel port breakout boards were connected to the computer via GPIO pins (General Purpose Input/Output) and each pin dedicated to the step pulse would be output directly from those pins. In that case, a safety charge pump was needed.

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[575] Can it control a safety charge pump ?

You have the ability to designate the 4th axis, commonly known as the A-axis, for rotary indexing operations when using a Mach3 USB controller.

To achieve this in Mach3, you'll need to:

Open the Mach3 software.
Navigate to "Config" and then to "Ports and Pins."
Go to the "Motor Outputs" tab.
Enable the A-axis and assign the respective Step and Direction pins.
Save your settings and exit the "Ports and Pins" dialog.
To calibrate the A-axis, go to "Settings" and use the "Set Steps Per Unit" option.

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[575] Does this board support indexing on mach3 turn? Planning to use it on a lathe and will do threading jobs

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

Have you tried entering a command in the MDI for that turn axis? What happens when you do?

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[575] Hello! When I use turn software then everything works with mpeg mode. When I wanna use step mode and change axis positions with keyboard then x,z positions changes randomly.How I can fix it ?

The parts list is located on this page: http://buildyourcnc.com/cnckitintro.aspx at the bottom of the description.

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DOES YOUR COMBO #1 WITH PLANS AND THE DVD COME COMPLETE PARTS LIST?