[wmgeorge]

You guys running Mach 4, happy or not? Happy so far, but Mach3 seems dated. A bonus for me is my CNCRP control panel will soon be officially supported with a pre-configured file. Was considering Acorn but its a lot more money, It also requires a better Windows 10 than I own.

Correct me but its just the hobby license $200? and getting the settings done for Mach4? Everything else should work.

[difalkner]

Mach4 is what I started with so that's all I know. It has done everything I've asked it to do and I am certain does a lot more than I am doing. Yes, hobby license was $200. Settings weren't difficult and I like the software.

David

[breant]

hello david i like mach 4 but my countery in macch for too much higher coast software if you dont mind can you guide me to find this software

[GME]

You guys running Mach 4, happy or not? Happy so far, but Mach3 seems dated. A bonus for me is my CNCRP control panel will soon be officially supported with a pre-configured file. Was considering Acorn but its a lot more money, It also requires a better Windows 10 than I own.

Correct me but its just the hobby license $200? and getting the settings done for Mach4? Everything else should work.

Bill,

You've heard from me before on Mach4. I'm very happy with it.

Yes, it's the hobby license that's $200. The industrial version is $1,400.

Wonder how long folks will have to wait before CNCRP releases its Mach4/Smoothstepper setup. I seem to recall the delay had to do with getting the torch height control setup correctly. You'd think that most folks are using their machines for a routers, so they could release that version now, and follow with a version for plasma later on after they get the bugs worked out. Might be worth an email.

Gary

[difalkner]

What's interesting about that, Gary, is that the Post Processor I use in Fusion 360 is the CNC Router Parts (Mach3Mill) / cncrouterparts and that works just fine in Mach4 for our machine.

David

[wmgeorge]

That is interesting David, Another consideration is I am running Warp9 ESS on ethernet so I need to get that configured also. I would like to run it on my Windows 10 computer and leave my one now (Win7) still setup now for Mach3.... just in case.

[ger21]

You can setup both Mach3 and Mach4 on the same PC.

[wmgeorge]

You can setup both Mach3 and Mach4 on the same PC.

Even with ESS? I would love to do that and keep it all on Win7Pro.

[GME]

Even with ESS? I would love to do that and keep it all on Win7Pro.

Yes. I have both setup on my PC, and I have ESS. I don't use Mach3 anymore, but it's still set up and runs. However, once you start running Mach4, I doubt you will want to return to Mach3.

Gary

[mcardoso]

I recently transitioned from Mach 3 to Mach 4 running on a Windows 10 industrial PC (not a very fast computer). Configuration is much more straightforward than mach 3, almost didn't need any setup guides. Mach 4 seems very well designed, more professional, and more functional that mach 3. I have no reservations about the purchase.

If you need any specific help with the ESS setup that isn't in the manuals, feel free to PM me. I also recommend you become a forum member on the Warp 9 forum. They are very responsive there (within a day Andy from Warp9 will answer all posts) and often happy to help with MAch 4 question even where it doesn't directly relate to the ESS.

[difalkner]

I am also running ESS but I have a Win7 machine. I don't recall the setup being particularly difficult but it's also the only one I've ever done so nothing to call upon for comparison.

David

[wmgeorge]

Wow, thanks guys and if your not a guy, same thing. I know David and Gary have used and liked Mach4 but I like to keep things the same if they are working but in this case its like why not? I was really interested in the Acorn but its still in the development stages and I keep hearing its just a hobby grade controller so be patient. Seems like Mach4 has already got those features built in.

[wmgeorge]

One more added question and I think this would be a Gary question. Since you have both Mach3 and Mach4 can you switch back and forth? Like I have a working digitizing probe in Mach3 and I am not sure if M4 does it the same. Can I just start up M3 and use the probe and then use M4 as norma nextl?? It would be for me the ideal world.

[Erik F]

I have been thinking about going to mach4. Anything I need to look out for vs mach3?

[GME]

I have been thinking about going to mach4. Anything I need to look out for vs mach3?

Customization is more limited with Mach4, unless you know Lua programming language. I am not good at programming, so I accepted the limitation. Fortunately, It hasn't been an issue. I am satisfied with the screensets and functionality. Also, Vista CNC finally came up with a good plugin for their pendant's. I have one with an LCD display. It works fine. Unfortunately, Vista's pendants are all wired. You won't be able to use the relatively inexpensive Chinese pendants commonly used for Mach3. A fellow with the handle, DazTheGas wrote a script for using an XBox 360 with Mach4, but I haven't tried it. Here is a link to the thread: mcX360 Mach4 Controller Plugin Here's a link to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOy...Uq3-u_LgNFzNNw

Note that my setup uses an ESS Smoothstepper, so I cannot comment on setting up Mach4 using some other motion controller. If you are using a Smoothstepper, Warp9 has very good instructions for setting up the Smoothstepper Plugin for Mach4. Most of the Mach4 settings are done in the ESS plugin.

I have been very happy with Mach4. I haven't found any of the odd behaviors that crop up from time-to-time in Mach3. I have found it to be a very stable platform and more intuitive than Mach3.

Gary

[mcardoso]

I disagree that customization is more limited with Mach 4. Both Mach 3 and Mach 4 come with scripting languages. Mach 3 used VB scripting and Mach 4 uses LUA scripting. Having used both extensively and having never used either language before seeing it within Mach 3/4, I can say that LUA is more featured and powerful at the expense of having a somewhat steeper learning curve. If you are familiar with programming, especially object oriented programming, you should have a good headstart. It is very possible to learn it without that background and you shouldn't find it intimidating. Just start simple. There are tons of resources to help you along the way.

I am using a $50 hardwired 4 axis pendant from ebay wired into general I/O. The setup was not very complicated and there is a great write-up on the procedure on the Warp 9 ESS website. This is applicable even if you are using another method to bring the I/O in, although slight modification may be needed.

The logic editor and screen editor are miles ahead of the ones provided in Mach 3.

[difalkner]

I'm speaking out of turn but my guess is that ESS will only talk to one controller software at a time. Again, guessing, but you could use your Mach3 setup for the digitizing probe, shut it down, then start Mach4 if you want. Guessing entirely, though.

David

[ger21]

I was really interested in the Acorn but its still in the development stages

It can be said that Mach4 is also in the development stages.

Depending on what features you are looking for, you could argue that either one is farther along then the other.

Since you have both Mach3 and Mach4 can you switch back and forth?

Yes, just close one, and start the other. The software connects to the ESS when you start it.

[wmgeorge]

Thanks Gerry & David solves a Lot of problems. I just found out my Vista (?) Pendant will also work on Mach4.

[wmgeorge]

So no Post Processor for Mach4 in the VCarve Pro needed? I down loaded the Demo in the Windows 7 part of my MacBook Pro and it crashed two times, so is that because of the Demo hitting the number of lines limit and it crashes? You'd think it would just stop.