[Valguy1]

I have a MultiCam 44+ that I bought used. It was inoperable at the time. I eventually gutted the control box and started over. I'm using the new G540 that was included in the purchase, the power supply and vfd for the spindle. I purchased a UC100 and after MUCH trouble I finally got it installed (hint .net has to be active in windows 10). I can use the Mach3 Trial to move all of the motors and I've used a couple of bits to clean up the vacuum grid table manually. I have never loaded gcode to run on this machine.

So..... Now What? My intent is for my wife and I to be able to use the CNC to create wood and HPE signs. She has extensive experience in 2d graphic design. I was going to buy Mach3 and VCarve Pro for these purposes. Then I saw how proud Vectric was of VCarve. Having said that Easel looks to me to be the easiest 2 & 2.5D way to get started and it has a relatively inexpensive price entry point. Of course, it runs GRBL. From what I can tell g540 won't run GRBL w/o doing a bunch of manipulation of the G-Code and I'm not there yet. UCCNC is a possibility. It's G540 friendly and I already have the UC100. I guess we could run Fusion360 but that would be totally different for her in terms of software. I've done quite a bit of 2d autocad 2014 so I'd probably be all right. Linux CNC has been mentioned to me but every GUI I've seen for it does not look easy at all.

I'm thinking about removing the G540 and going back to a break out/controller board, drivers, etc and using GRBL. This is really a pretty complex problem to get all the parts and pieces and software and languages to work together without plunking down another grand.

Any thoughts on how to get started on this inexpensively and without having to learn DOSish commands again? Maybe modifying the headers in GRBL G Code is no big deal. I don't know.

Am I missing something that will work with my g540, 3 axis only - 2.5 D Only right now? Hoping for some clarity.

[peteeng]

Hi Val - The G540 is agnostic to the gcode. I've run the gecko G540 with a UC100 for many years with no issues. At the time I used UCCNC and used its CAM function to create code from imported dxfs. (from rhino3d, alibre and other cad systems) Was straightforward. No DOS needed on any modern system. But I would not buy UCCNC in your situation.

I now run fusion and overall I think its the best value going forward. You can download it as a hobbyist and its free. You get the CAD and CAM in one go. So start there. I appreciate that's there's a learning curve but you will get thru it. Anything new will require some learning. You will go thru this cycle every 5 years or so as software and technology changes. Now if you change the G540 look at CNC3D commander/knighthawk system (its GRBL). All in one box excellent support and its been really easy to set up and run on two of my machines. Very recommended..... and I know nothing about GRBL.

So back to your current issue. You will need to find a simple post processor that exports to the controller (UCCNC, Mach4, others) from whatever CAD/CAM you have or will get. Download fusion and have a go. Look thru their long list of posts and pick one and see how the code goes. The forum is here to help. In closing if you are not interested in electronics and dealing with separate devices and sorting out how machine controllers talk to device controllers talk to BOBS talk to motor drivers etc etc (which I've been thru and do not want to do that again) then stay in the one box camp. Then as issues arise you only need to deal with one company. So look at the knighthawk, buildbotics, spark concepts, dynomotion type systems. I've used knighthawk and highly recommend them for simple 3 or 4 axis systems. I'm about to use the Dynomotion system on a 5 axis machine so will know more about that soon. The dynomotion pre sales support has been excellent and it has a thread here. But for your use its probably too complex... I'd go the knighthawk. I spent a couple of years looking & testing for a simple reliable one box solution and found it close to me ... but they ship and support people world wide... and it does not cost $1000's. Regards Peter

https://www.cnc3d.com.au/

[awerby]

It sounds like you're very close to having a solution that will work for you. I wouldn't advise going to GRBL or revamping your control hardware; that seems like a step backwards. Get a license for Mach3 or 4, so you can execute programs exceeding 500 lines, and then all you need is a CAM program that will work with your system. If you can translate your vector art to DXF (AutoCAD will do that) then try DeskProto's Free edition, which will generate G-code for the system you've got, if you choose a Mach3/4 postprocessor. https://www.deskproto.com/products/free-ed.php

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
if you have a bought a UC100 then you have just three choices as to which software to run:

1)UCCNC
2)Mach3
3)Mach4

The UC100 has a plugin that is designed to interface with one of these three, forget GRBL, it will not talk to the UC100, forget LinuxCNC, it will not talk to the UC100.

In buying a UC100 you have in effect restricted your choice to one of these three. Quite frankly getting rid of the UC100 and going back to GRBL is a backwards step. Why did you buy a UC100
if not to use it? As it turns out either Mach4 or UCCNC are very good choices and both have a large user base.

As a matter of practicality all development on Mach3 ceased nine years ago. Notwithstanding that it still works and has a loyal fanbase it is obsolete, and I would not consider it for a new machine.
I included it on the list simply to be complete, I do not believe it is the right choice.

I have used Mach4 and have done for nine years. It works well, and its structure, scripting language (Lua) and its built in screen editor make it a very versatile solution. Whether you actually require
such versatility is maybe a moot point.

I use Fusion as CAD/CAM. Fusion is a good all-rounder, and even if you pay a subscription (around $600/year) it is pretty good value. I use the Autodesk provided Mach4 Post Processor without trouble.
I have seen comments that Fusion does work for more 'artistic' work, Vcarve is better for that style of work. I think its a case of pay your money and take your pick.

What is certainly true is that you become accustomed to any give piece of software to the extent that ANY other software seems bad by comparison. More often than not that is not correct,
but rather the new software is just different. What is also true is that ANY software has a learning curve, and that you'll spend considerable effort to master any one of them. It makes sense therefore
to get the best overall view of the competing software products with a view to answering the question....'will this software package take me to my intended goal five years from now?'

Fusion was not my first choice, having had exposure to MasterCam (if you have to ask 'what's MasterCam' then you cant afford it anyway!!!!, think $15000USD plus annual fees for a basic license),
but I have found I've gained fluency with Fusion to the extent I can be productive with it. It also has other modules, the Electronics and PCB module, I especially use daily for work, but there are
other modules like Simulation, Generative Design and more. In short I've found it to be a good all-round program and affordably priced. I did not really like the subscription model, but after several years
use I'm forced to conclude that it has some very distinct advantages, namely and particularly that I can get a good and well performing CAD/CAM package for a modest subscription whereas to buy
a perpetual license of an equally good software would cost thousands, to tens of thousands.

I pay for Fusion Basic ($875NZD/year inc tax) and Fusion Machining Extensions (four/five axis) ($2400NZD/year inc tax). Were I to buy a competing four/five axis capable product I would have to pay $10000USD
plus annual update fees for a perpetual license. Fusion and Fusion Machining Extensions are a very much more affordable option.

Fusion is free to hobbyists and start ups.......so Autodesk have made it very enticing for people to try out, with the perfectly reasonable expectation that once you become familiar with it you'll likely
stick with it and even pay!

Craig

[peteeng]

Hi Val - You have to buy or get a CAD/CAM system no matter what. So I won't discuss that. That is up to what you need and what you want to pay and it will be the same no matter the machine side of things, but fusion hobby is free. On the machine side your cheapest solution I believe is to buy the UCCNC license. In Oz that would be $100AUD. Since you have the UC100 your machine side then would be complete. If you go UCCNC you can use its CAM module to run dxf imports its a good spot to learn from.

If you go Mach4 it would cost $296AUD in oz and you would be operational

If you canned the G540 and UC100 (maybe sold them to recover $$$) then it would cost $499AUD to get Knighthawk running. A new G540 is worth around $500AUD in Oz.

commentary on systems:
1) I have had one licensing issue with the UC100 in 6 years but it was solved with a phone call to the supplier
2) I have not had any issues with UCCNC its been very good. Have no experience with M4
3) Have had one issue with the G540 but gecko sorted it over email. But if your motors require more than 3.5A then the G540 cannot supply that current across 3 or 4 motors. Initially I had issues with 4 axis current maximums and had to tune down the G540 so the motors did not receive full power only 3A each.
4) The knighthawk has a solid 4.5A across 4 axis if you need that power
5) Fusion has been very good and the people I have recommended it to are using the hobby version and learnt quick and are happy with it. If you require art stuff like fancy txt and bending txt and images its not the long term way to go. Fusion does not do vector stuff and image manipulation like some art software does. eg it does not have tracing features which are very useful to crate edges from images... Its an engineering package not an art package
What graphic package does your wife use? Most graphics will export a dxf file in which case this can be brought directly into UCCNC and run. Maybe the way to go. You can download UCCNC and give that a try. It will run in demo mode with 500 line limit. But this will be enough to check your graphics package will work....

So onward with your journey... Peter

[routalot]

I agree with what has been posted regarding GRBL and while it may have adherents,I doubt that many of them have experience of the various alternatives.If the OP is interested in V-carve,I would say it has some points in it's favour; you buy it and it is yours forever and it has zillions of post processors included.It also imports both .dwg and .dxf files and works at creating lettering for signs.Against that,it is a bit quirky in it's CAD facility,even though it does the job.

If cost of software is an issue you could save some money by investigating Freecad.It isn't the easiest thing to pick up but it does have an increasing number of post processors included and will do almost anything you are likely to need.The Path module,soon to be renamed CAM has undergone a lot of upgrades in the last year or two.

[Valguy1]

I think that you identified a very real concern. My wife has been involved in Graphic Design since the days of CorelDraw. Now she uses Adobe Illustrator and Canva quite a bit. To your point - I envision sign making to be a lot more "Art" than Engineering with lots of bitmap tracing, etc. I realize the machine is capable of both, I just don't envision us cutting parts right away. There are a few more Artsy CAD/CAM softwares out there.

Probably what I'll do is I'll learn Vcarve Pro real quick on a Makerspace Version that we have coming in for the ShopBot at our local makerspace. Then I can evaluate the "ease" factor for my wife to do the Artsy stuff with a Vectric Product.

[peteeng]

Hi Val - I looked at Illustrator and it does dxf exports. So You can import a dxf into the UCCNC cam module. You can download UCCNC demo and test this. Peter

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
Vcarve is favoured amongst users whom are inclined to 'Artwork'. Vcarve is 2.5D and about $500USD.......not bad but not 3D.....that is Aspire. Aspire is the 'Pro' version of their software but is $2500USD plus annual updates.
The question is can you afford to spend 2.5k only to see it slip out of date? Sure. it still works but after five years it will be well behind the curve, and by then you'd have to buy anew which is not appealing.

Answer the basic question....'Do I want 3D or can I get by with 2.5D?'

That will determine what software standard you want, and thereby set the price.

Craig

[Valguy1]

So I decided to mess with UCCNC this evening using the UC100. UC100 shows in Scan but no blue light and Demo Mode won't do anything. I mean Nothing. If I close UCCNC out and open Mach3 -UC100 works fine, I think I read that UCCNC won't communicate with anything when in Demo as opposed to a Mach3 Trial. Is that correct? How on earth can you evaluate the product if it won't communicate with the motors? This is really frustrating.

[peteeng]

Hi Val - for UCCNC to talk to the system you need a license.... The demo will run the code and do everything internally but won't talk to the system without a license.. Welcome to the land of discrete devices and learning how all these things talk/ don't talk together. Thats why I like a one box solution. Peter

[routalot]

Just to clarify,V-carve will do 3D work and do it quite well.The limitation is that it will only accept a 3D model if the file is in .stl format.There are separate sequences in which the roughing and finishing parameters can be selected and it is even possible to add 2D vectors that act as machining boundaries for those regions that need a different tool for more delicate features.The plan to try it out at a makerspace is a good one and you may get a bit ahead by watching some of the youtube videos and since they vary so much in quality of information,rely on Vectric rather than some relative novice who might only be a step or two ahead of a total novice and overawed by what the possibilities are.

[Valguy1]

Preposterous that UCCNC won't let me see how it moves my motors around. The 500 line limitation of the Machs seems like a much better way to market one's product. After installing and uninstalling 3 times I finally got it to give me a pointer and I was able to see the dro move, etc. I guess since it's locked to a specific UCXXX they need to be able to make it 'Demo" independent of communicating with anything. Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and buy a license. I guess I could sell both together if I wanted to get rid of it.

[metalmayhem]

you'll need to watch it with the uc100 . I'd suggest doing a bunch of trial runs before dedicating to a bigger job . I've got 1/2 dozen sitting in a drawer because they often broke connection with the pc's and would shut down during an operation . I eventually stopped using them . I know some guys have used them with no issues but I had problems with both mach 3 and the uccnc software . The uc100 may have improved over the years but they were a real pita 6-7 years ago when I used them
There were some posts back then about upgrading the cables but that didn't do the trick for me

[peteeng]

Hi Metal - Were they original UC100's or asian copies? I have used 3 UC100's for over 6 years and they have never glitched. Peter

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
I personally think the biggest bug-bear with the UC100 is that it has such limited IO, one 'parallel ports worth' ie 17 IOs.

Even a UC400 has double (34 IOs) or a UC300 has 85 IOs, and both are Ethernet connected which are better with respect to noise and latency.
All of the UCnnn series have low to moderate operating frequency (100kHz UC100, 400kHz UC300/400), which is fair at best.

I use an Ethernet SmoothStepper which has 51 IOs ('three parallel ports worth') and operates up to 4MHz. It is a much better proposition for high resolution servos and encoders.

To OP: while there are other and maybe better choices of motion control, given that you already have a UC100, I suggest you persevere with it.The UC100 has worked for tens of thousands of users, and I'm sure it will
work for you too. It maybe that at some later stage you will want to update or improve....and that is perfectly doable. Your real challenge is to find the CAD/CAM package that will give you and your wife the best opportunity
to do creative work, and to find that package at a price you can afford. The machine and machine motion control are actually only a small part of that bigger goal.

The cost of a UCCNC license is $60USD and its a good CNC software. Mach3 costs $175USD, but does allow up to five active machine per license. The cost per license is therefore
comparable ....but only....if you have multiple machines....which does not seem likely in your case. As I have posted before I would not consider Mach3 as all development has ceased
nine years ago, it is in my opinion obsolete. Mach4 on the other hand is not. It costs $200USD, but can also have up to five active machines.

Mach4 and UCCNC are both good and are very much direct competitors, and either would be perfectly adequate for your purposes. The price difference is pretty minor, the machine itself,
and even more likely the CAD/CAM package will dwarf the cost of either UCCNC or Mach4.

I paid $200USD for Mach4 about nine years ago......and so over that nine years works out to about $25/year....which is chicken feed! I spend easily $500USD per year on carbide tools alone.
Even water soluble oil for the coolant costs $124NZD/4l and I buy two or three 4l packs per year! Just one servo (750W Delta B2) cost $560USD (including shipping) and I have
five of those! No, the cost of the CNC software (Mach4 in my case) and the motion control board (an ESS in my case) are in fact very cheap, even the cheapest part of CNC.

Don't be swayed by a few dollars this way or that, its likely that if you make a good choice you'll use it for year upon year and whatever you paid for it initially will seem
inconsequential. That is true for the CNC software/hardware but doubly so for CAD/CAM.

Craig

[metalmayhem]

Hi Metal - Were they original UC100's or asian copies? I have used 3 UC100's for over 6 years and they have never glitched. Peter

I bought the uc100's direct from uccnc so was the software . As I said some guys have had no problems but I've seen many examples of people having the same problem . I gave up on mine after too many disconnections .
My preference at the time was mach but I hoped the uccnc software might be better except it wasn't . I'm sure it has come along way since , it was still in it's infancy back then . I was going to switch over to the ethernet board of theirs and bought one which has never been used , plans abruptly changed and I went with tormachs and pathpilot , everything in the shop was either scrapped or shelved