For those that wanted the answer as to what motherboard Tormach has tested and acknowledge to work with PathPilot, I got an official response. TD10369 DIY PathPilot Conversion 0515A
I also wanted to add that Newegg has a great deal on a complete controller for under $189.00 Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more - Newegg.com
All you need is the Mesa Card and Software from Tormach and you're up and going.
TD10369 DIY PathPilot Conversion 0515A
DIY Computer Conversion to PathPilot™
Product Identification: DIY PathPilot Kit
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to detail DIY computer conversion to a PathPilot controller.
Background: PathPilot is a dedicated machine controller designed specifically for Tormach machine tools. The
PathPilot controller is the recommended control solution for Tormach CNC machine tools. This publication
describes a low-cost solution for converting a computer into a PathPilot controller.
IMPORTANT: Construction of a machine controller is a DIY project that comes with no guarantee of success.
Tormach will provide no Tech Support beyond this publication. Because the interface card may be installed in a
used computer or motherboard of unknown origin, the card is at risk of damage and therefore not returnable.
NOTE: For those unfamiliar with the specifications and assembly of personal computers, this project can
be an exercise in frustration. If the terminology used in this document is unfamiliar to you, we recommend
against attempting this conversion and instead purchase the PathPilot Controller (PN 35286).
The PathPilot Controller
A PathPilot controller is made up of three distinct parts:
• A computer that meets specific requirements (outlined below)
• The PathPilot™ operating system
• A hardware interface card
Computer Hardware Requirements
The designated installation computer must meet the following requirements:
• x86 architecture (32 bit)
• 2.7 GHz or faster processor
• 40 GB hard drive space
• 1 GB ram
• PCI or PCI-E slot
• Optical drive
General Recommendations
Chipset: Use an Intel® chipset from one of the H41, H61, or H81 families
USB: Starting with the H61 chipset, Intel started adding the USB interface into the monolithic chipset. This
made USB communication much more susceptible to dropped packets, especially in an electrically noisy
environment. If the motherboard has an H61 or H81 chipset, locate one with either a dedicated USB controller
(e.g. Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD3) or use a PCI or PCI-E expansion slot and USB expansion card to provide a
dedicated USB controller for the jog shuttle and keyboard. Boards with USB chip uPD720201 work well.
Performance: Larger hard drives, more memory, or higher-performance processors are unlikely to have any
significant impact on performance.
BIOS: BIOS configurations vary widely and many settings can create problems. Resetting to factory defaults
may be helpful in some situations.
Hardware known to be compliant: The following motherboards are known to work with PathPilot:
• Intel DG41AN
• Intel DH61DL
• Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2PV
• Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD3
NOTE: All controllers sold by Tormach include Intel Pentium® processors at or above 2.7 GHz.
Interface Cards
The hardware interface card generates the step and direction signals used by the machine’s axis drives,
and are used to read the encoder signals and other real time IO data returning from the machine tool. A
Mesa interface card (Mesa Electronics) is required for computers running PathPilot operating system to
communicate with Tormach machine tools.
PathPilot Kits1
Machine Kit Part Number (PN) Includes
PCNC 1100 PathPilot Upgrade Kit
PCI-E Slot: (PN 35459 or PN 35460)
PCI Slot: (PN 35457 or PN 35458)
Hardware interface card,
PathPilot OS install DVD,
PathPilot manual
PCNC 770 PathPilot Upgrade Kit
PCI-E Slot: (PN 35460)
PCI Slot: (PN 35458)
Hardware interface card,
PathPilot OS install DVD,
PathPilot manual
1For detailed instructions on upgrade kit installation, please refer to product documentation.