Masso controller

I’ve been looking at options to replace my aging Mach3 based controller using USB smooth stepper. Found two interesting Ethernet based systems Acorn and the UC300 series
Fact is that all my programs are on a non Ethernet laptop. When I ask what are solutions for a non Ethernet pc I get buy an old pc with an Ethernet port.

Isn’t that the same answer we got when PCs we’re loosing parallel ports?

Point is that I think these window/pc driven controllers have seen there peak. Sure there are a bunch of folks who just bought a bunch of pc based stuff that will stand behind what they have but this stand alone computer in the controller is coming

If you want evidence then look no further then controllers being sold for lasers.


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Isn’t that the same answer we got when PCs we’re loosing parallel ports?

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Not the same thing at all. Parallel ports are obsolete, ethernet ports are not

The issue use that you are trying to use a laptop that doesn't have an ethernet port. There are thousands of new, modern laptops available with ethernet ports. You don't have to buy an old one.

What's the difference between a dedicated PC at or in your control box and a standalone control? The one with the dedicated PC can do more. :)

Try to find a laptop with a Ethernet port and ssd. They don’t exit. Ethernet ports will only exit in office PCs and eventually only to their docking stations. They will be phased out of the laptop just like the rotating disk drive and cd drive for size and battery life.

So you find an office pc with an Ethernet port dedicated to your UC300. How do you transfer files in now that you can’t connect to the network?

What was the cost of your Uc300 plus breakout board plus office pc that you had to get because of the port.

These intelligent controllers will be a low cost option where the various vendors won’t point fingers when problems occur. It will just take more time for choices

So what’s the difference? Total hardware and firmware control. To the consumer it represents a much longer time to obsolescence


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Originally Posted by Dean448

I’ve been looking at options to replace my aging Mach3 based controller using USB smooth stepper. Found two interesting Ethernet based systems Acorn and the UC300 series
Fact is that all my programs are on a non Ethernet laptop. When I ask what are solutions for a non Ethernet pc I get buy an old pc with an Ethernet port.

Isn’t that the same answer we got when PCs we’re loosing parallel ports?

Point is that I think these window/pc driven controllers have seen there peak. Sure there are a bunch of folks who just bought a bunch of pc based stuff that will stand behind what they have but this stand alone computer in the controller is coming

If you want evidence then look no further then controllers being sold for lasers.


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Ethernet is not obsolete at all, because most network connections are still done through ethernet connections. There is also fiber optic, but ethernet is still much more common.
The bottom line is you could use a USB network adapter like this: https://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Giga.../dp/B003VSTDFG

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Originally Posted by Dean448

So you find an office pc with an Ethernet port dedicated to your UC300. How do you transfer files in now that you can’t connect to the network?
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You can use a network router. Connect the network router to the ethernet port of the PC and connect the UC300ETH and other computers, internet etc. to the router.

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Try to find a laptop with a Ethernet port and ssd. They don’t exit

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I'm using one right now. It's an older version of this one:
Inspiron 15-Inch 7567 Gaming Laptop: Intel i7 Quad Core | Dell United States

Laptops with ethernet ports aren't going away anytime soon. But personally, I'd never use a laptop in my shop.

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What was the cost of your Uc300 plus breakout board plus office pc that you had to get because of the port.

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You can get new, mini PC's with ethernet ports for less than $200.

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These intelligent controllers will be a low cost option where the various vendors won’t point fingers when problems occur. It will just take more time for choices

So what’s the difference? Total hardware and firmware control.

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That's why I ditched Mach3 and went with UCCNC with the UC300ETH. There is no finger pointing, and no problems, because the software, hardware, and firmware is done by one company.


The Masso is not cheap, and has it's share of problems. It's a good idea, but poor execution. It's at least two years in, and everyone that's tried it always seems to have some issues with it. If a company is going to produce a product like that, it's got to be 100% complete, and ready to go out of the gate. Nobody wants to pay $700 to be a beta tester.

Mach3/Mach4 is the only control where you have two different companies to depend on.

Sorry to crash in to the party people :(, but sad to say the LPT1 port (parallel port) cannot just be abolished, even the most latest motherboards up to now (i9 series) motherboard manufacturers still mass producing motherboards with LPT1 port support, because almost all car manufacturing robots or any other manufacturing plant still use the "old" but a very reliable piece of connection between the robots and the drive computers. Windows 10 has greatly improved on supporting LPT1 ports in the past few months.

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...d=382338&stc=1

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Originally Posted by ger21

The Masso is not cheap, and has it's share of problems.

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The Masso is cheaper than other options if you're starting fresh. And please don't talk about "problems" when you're using a windows based system. Nothing is more problematic than windows.

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It's at least two years in, and everyone that's tried it always seems to have some issues with it.

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Not true. There are many here that use the Masso without any issues. UCCNC had its issues when it was new too. All new products do.

The point is that many people want to get away from windows, and there really isn't a easy Mac solution, so the Masso is very attractive for those people.

Good luck. I've only seen one person say they really liked the Masso, and they didn't elaborate. Every other person I've seen using one has found issues with it.

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There are many here that use the Masso without any issues.

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I haven't seen any of these people posting about their experiences.

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And please don't talk about "problems" when you're using a windows based system. Nothing is more problematic than windows.

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Since you mentioned a Mac, this is obviously a biased opinion. I haven't really had any problems with Windows since Windows 95.

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Originally Posted by ger21

I haven't really had any problems with Windows since Windows 95.

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I'd buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck :)

I’ve been using centroid acorn which runs on windows 10- no problems at all. I actually like Windows 10, easy to set up a network folder so I drop my gcode files into my garage cnc computer from any computer in my house. No flash drive. Also updates for the acorn board are easy to do with windows 10. Keeping documentation, pdf files on it to reference are easy to do. Boots up in less than 30 seconds with a solid state drive. I bought the pc refurbished with an ssd for a little over 200 dollars free shipping.


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I'll report back in in a month. Building a Masso based controller with Leadshine stepper control. CRP 4896HD

Modern manufacturing plants are not run on computers running parallel ports. Read up on PLC's. Ethernet connectively is not obsolete....!!