[Jeff Green]

Hello...
I am very new to the CNC field. My company got a plasma table that has Mach 3 for controlling the motions of the table. IMHO, the Mach software is a complete nightmare. I cannot find any real support for it and no documentation for learning to operate it.

Does anyone have any information on how I can get started working with this? The best would be some kind of software manual/tutorial I could read for at least learning what the options mean and how they work together. I tried the Mach website, but it didn't seem to have anything relating to the plasma version of their software - only the milling machine version. Has anyone successfully used this software? How did you learn it without going mad? Mach 3 has the absolute worst user interface of any software I have ever used. EVER.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Torchhead]

Gee, Jeff why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel!

Here are some facts:

MACH is being used by over 15,000 customers.

There is a detailed manual at www.machsupport.com

MACH is a general purpose software controller used for router, plasma, lathe, foam cutting and many other multi axis projects. You can't draw with it, define toolpaths or generate G-Code. It's made to run the machine...period.

The integrator (OEM) that put your machine together and provided the MACH can (should) have a custom screen set (What you see on the screen) for your specific application (see my custom screens below we ship with our Plasma electronics).

The default screens have everything you might want So they are cluttered. The nice thing about MACH is it's extreme flexibility. It has more options than you will ever need in plasma cutting. It has a custom screen "Painter" that any OEM can use to make the interface be anything you want. Our screens will be different because we have the THC integrated into MACH and take advantage of MACH's built in THC logic and interface.

If you are expecting the MACH manual to teach you how to use your machine for Plasma CNC you will be disappointed. Once again it's up to the company that built the table to give you the information. MACH is a tool that can be used hundreds of ways

There is a very active Yahoo Forum (MACH1MACH2CNC) where the actual developer(s) hang out plus hundreds of other uses (a lot that use Plasma). You can get help there. The other source might be the person/company that made the interface controls. We support our products even after they are on a machine built by someone else. My support site is yahoo group CandCNCSupport. If your table has my controls (CandCNC) then join the group and get specific help on how to cut with plasma on a CNC.

I also might suggest if you want help you might not start out telling the person you need help from how ugly their baby is.(chair)

[Torchhead]

Oh, and another source for support:

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php

We ship extensive manuals with our electronics that go into more depth on setting up and proper cut methods with plasma. There may be some information you can use in there (even with other controllers).

http://www.CandCNC.com/manuals.htm. Download the MP3000 and DTHC manuals. Almost 100 pages combined.

Check out the CNC Plasma Cutting Forum on CNCZone as well. There is a lot of expertise on general plasma cutting there.

TOM CAUDLE
www.CandCNC.com
Totally Modular CNC Electronics

[ZUBAIRYASIN]

HI EVERY ONE
I M NEW IN CNC FIELD. I WANT TO CONVERT CONVENTIONAL LATHE MACHINE INTO CNC MACHINE.I WANT TO USE MACH3 SOFTWARE FOR THIS PURPOSE.I DNT HAVE ANY IDEA OF MACH3TURN.I SEARCHED OUT ABOUT THE MANTUAL OF MACH3TURN.I NEED HELP FOR THIS PURPOSE. IS ANY ONE HAVE ANY IDEA OR LINK FROM WHERE I CAN GET HELP OR SOME SORT OF MANUALS.
REGARDS
M ZUBAIR YASIN