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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    59

    Switch to mach 4

    I noticed the Avid has recently stopped selling mach3 and added mach4 as a replacement. Has anyone on here switched over? Im also trying to research using my atc with it but nothing has come up yet, any help on that would greatly be appreciated. Is there a way to use my current m6 macro with mach 4?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    A few people here have switched.

    You'll need a completely newM6 macro, as Mach4 uses Lua for macros, rather than VB like Mach3 does.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by Aerojunkie View Post
    I noticed the Avid has recently stopped selling mach3 and added mach4 as a replacement. Has anyone on here switched over? Im also trying to research using my atc with it but nothing has come up yet, any help on that would greatly be appreciated. Is there a way to use my current m6 macro with mach 4?
    I have know idea what your M6 Macro is but I changed over a few months back, and I had the Plug & Plug Avid control panel and did it kind of winging it, the Warp 9 ESS website is a big help. I love Mach4 glad I switched the machine has never ran better.
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Posts
    59

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    I am running the stock one from cncdepot he made for mach 3. When I bought the router mach 4 was still iffy on compatibility, but now I think its time to upgrade. Mach 3 has been working ok, but I have been playing with the demo of mach 4 and I like it. Right now the only thing holding me back is getting the atc working, Im spoiled to it for running cabinet parts. Never wrote a program or macro before but I guess Im about to get a crash course in it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by Aerojunkie View Post
    I am running the stock one from cncdepot he made for mach 3. When I bought the router mach 4 was still iffy on compatibility, but now I think its time to upgrade. Mach 3 has been working ok, but I have been playing with the demo of mach 4 and I like it. Right now the only thing holding me back is getting the atc working, Im spoiled to it for running cabinet parts. Never wrote a program or macro before but I guess Im about to get a crash course in it.
    You might check on the Mach3/4 Forum not CNCZone but the official support forum someone might have already done so. Ger21 Is also a top notch programmer, he might have one for you already done and cheaper than paying someone else.
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Sorry, but I've never done any Mach4 programming.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by wmgeorge View Post
    I have know idea what your M6 Macro is but I changed over a few months back, and I had the Plug & Plug Avid control panel and did it kind of winging it, the Warp 9 ESS website is a big help. I love Mach4 glad I switched the machine has never ran better.
    Try here > https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?board=94.0

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by wmgeorge View Post
    I have know idea what your M6 Macro is but I changed over a few months back, and I had the Plug & Plug Avid control panel and did it kind of winging it, the Warp 9 ESS website is a big help. I love Mach4 glad I switched the machine has never ran better.
    Try here > https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?board=94.0
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    4

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    I've switched and I have yet to find a benefit in switching. I switched because my unit is only a couple months old and Avid is helping me troubleshoot some THC issues. They wanted to rule out Mach3. According to Avid, Mach 4 works better with Plasma.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by DHaughs View Post
    I've switched and I have yet to find a benefit in switching. I switched because my unit is only a couple months old and Avid is helping me troubleshoot some THC issues. They wanted to rule out Mach3. According to Avid, Mach 4 works better with Plasma.
    Mach3 has a couple of gotca things going on and sometimes unexplained dives, you may not have had those issues. Mach4 is much smoother in operation and professional.
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    4

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by wmgeorge View Post
    Mach3 has a couple of gotca things going on and sometimes unexplained dives, you may not have had those issues. Mach4 is much smoother in operation and professional.
    The biggest differences I have found that affect me are on the plasma side. Significant upgrades for THC. But I haven't found any issues with Mach3 for the spindle. Keep in mind my point of reference is coming from a $2k hobby grade machine using a trim router

    You've had unexplained dives in Mach3 with your spindle/router?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by DHaughs View Post
    T

    You've had unexplained dives in Mach3 with your spindle/router?
    It turns out in M3 if you just STOP like in you want to start over, the buffer is not flushed out. When you restart, even after a re-zero it still starts to run that gcode buffer out. Yes there is a way to clear out that buffer.... but you need to remember. Mach4 seems to do for you.
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    That's probably an ESS issue, rather than Mach3.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Posts
    4

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by wmgeorge View Post
    It turns out in M3 if you just STOP like in you want to start over, the buffer is not flushed out. When you restart, even after a re-zero it still starts to run that gcode buffer out. Yes there is a way to clear out that buffer.... but you need to remember. Mach4 seems to do for you.
    Interesting. I haven't seen that. Could be because I generally reload the gcode when I want to start over. I've actually had some funny business in Mach4 with this and my plasma torch firing. I've stopped programs or had an e-stop (battling through some interference issues) then I've clicked the "rewind g-code" button and then my torch will fire a second or two after. But if I close the gcode and load it again I don't have this issue. I haven't done much routing in Mach4.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    If your using Warp9 ESS I may be wrong but I think they just released a new THC module or plug in. Mach3 did the dive two times on me before I figured it out. You Stop the program and decide to Restart after re-zeroing and bingo it buries your router bit in the spoil board and I don't think its an ESS thing because Mach4 works just fine after I do the Restart.
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    I've never seen that in 10+ years of using Mach3, with the parallel port.
    It's not the ESS itself, but rather the plugin, and it's interaction with Mach3.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Posts
    1740

    Re: Switch to mach 4

    Quote Originally Posted by DHaughs View Post
    Interesting. I haven't seen that. Could be because I generally reload the gcode when I want to start over. I've actually had some funny business in Mach4 with this and my plasma torch firing. I've stopped programs or had an e-stop (battling through some interference issues) then I've clicked the "rewind g-code" button and then my torch will fire a second or two after. But if I close the gcode and load it again I don't have this issue. I haven't done much routing in Mach4.
    I'm not the only one with this reported issue, all have been Mach3 users, never M4.
    So now I have two reminders, holes burnt/milled into my spoil board to remind me.
    Retired Master Electrician, HVAC/R Commercial. FLA Saturn 2 4x4 CNC Router Mach4 Kimber 1911 45ACP

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