[SteveS]

I am considering to upgrade my CNC mill from Mach3 to Mach4. A major reason is that all of my computers with a parallel port are dying off. Currently I am using a G540 with Mach3.

Are there any "proven" methods for G540 to Mach4 connection? What is the minimum needed?

I've been to SmoothStepper and CNC4PC with no definitive answers.

Are there downsides to using PMDX PMDX-411 via USB to the G540?

Same question as PMDX, what about CNC4PC UC100 USB Motion Control?

Steve.

[daniellyall]

uc100 at this stage no to M4

[ger21]

You need a motion controller with a Mach4 plugin, and a cable to plug the G540 into the motion controller.

Be aware that Mach4 itself is not a finished product (imo), and most of the motion controller plugins still need some work.

As the previous post said, there is no Mach4 plugin for the UC100.

[alan_3301]

PCI parallel port cards are very cheap.

[morestuff]

The PMDX-411 has been tested and is known to work with the G540 and Mach4, including
the charge pump and spindle speed control functions of the G540.

The PMDX-411 is a USB device. There is a general presumption that Ethernet devices will
be more noise immune, but so far we have only had one customer with a noise problem
using our USB devices that could not be cured with normal corrective measures like
shielding and grounding.

Steve Stallings
PMDX.COM - Products for CNC and motion control applications

I am considering to upgrade my CNC mill from Mach3 to Mach4. A major reason is that all of my computers with a parallel port are dying off. Currently I am using a G540 with Mach3.

Are there any "proven" methods for G540 to Mach4 connection? What is the minimum needed?

I've been to SmoothStepper and CNC4PC with no definitive answers.

Are there downsides to using PMDX PMDX-411 via USB to the G540?

Same question as PMDX, what about CNC4PC UC100 USB Motion Control?

Steve.

[SteveS]

After more thought and reading, I am going to stay with Mach3. I am going to let the early adopters flush all the issues from Mach4 and the necessary interfaces.
Steve.

[geh7552]

Mach 4 is far from a finished product with no light at the end of the tunnel. It doesn't even have user CV control ability at this time... CV trajectory planner is a major complaint in Mach 3. Seems ArtSoft is all over the map trying to develop mach 4 with no defined path. I relate it to attention deficit disorder or whatever is the flavor of the day at ArtSoft. I wouldn't be in any rush to jump on the M4 band wagon.

[edcross]

Just finished my install of mach4 with pmdx 411 adapter to my g540 controller . Had to change computer , no lpt1 ( parallel port ) , I have a 3 axis -4 motor cnc , not very much help from Artsoft . It took a couple of days to get it working , and a lot of cigs , ran a few cuts today , look pretty good . Could not use my pendent from mach3 , had to take pictures of my motor setup from 3 because they do not have a import feature , from 3 to 4 yet .