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Newbie, I'm looking at buying a Joes 2006 (10 years old). It appears, I need Mach3 software and the requirements say Laptop is not support. Is there a work around or are todays (newer than 5 years able to work with M ach3. I'm not sure if this is needed but the Stepper motors are probotix ht23-400-8.
Sam
Newer laptops are even less likely to work, and they won't have a parallel port.
You can use an ethernet or USB motion controller with Mach3, which will work fine with a laptop.
I would not buy Mach3 today, as I consider it obsolete.
I'd go with UCCNC, which is very similar, and superior in many ways. You'll need a UC100 or UC400ETH motion controller.
So I assuming Stepper motors are probotix ht23-400-8 will work with UCCNC and UC400ETH motion controller. CNC4PC has UC400ETH motion controller and UCCNC license file bundle software bundle ($148.91 + $55.00) $203.91. What file format will it accept to UCCNC software? Is any other software or hardware required? The ethernet connection connect to laptop. So servo motors connect to a motherboard that has a parallel connection, which would connect to UC400ETH motion controller. The UCCNC software on laptop does the graphic display and communicates the axis moves from g-code to servos via motherboard.... please confirm or edit additional information welcome...
xxx
Stepper motors are controlled and powered by stepper drives, which your machine should already have. It probably has a breakout board with a parallel port connection, that will connect to the UC400ETH.
Stepper drives accept step and direction signals from the controller.
The UC400ETH should work with any stepper drive.
UCCNC reads g-code files, and sends step and direction signals to the drives via the UC400ETH.
You don't need any other software to actually control the machine.
But you'll need CAD/CAM software to create your g-code.
I believe that the UC400ETH requires a small 24V power supply.