[lawrencek]

I am using MACH3 with the Sainsmart 3018 MX3,

The laser does not immediately obey M2 and M5.
(I'm Using Freecad, which does not issue motor off when G0.
So I edited the file and added M3/M5 at the correct places.)

Problem - the laser comes on before the G0's are complete, and
goes off before the cutting is complete.

I have added G4 P 2 commands and this fixes the problem, but the
laser is on for a short time before moving and after stopping.

Why do I need these delays (using PWM). Can I not turn the laser off/on
immediately. I also notice the delay when I press "spindle CW F5".

I saw that I could use M10 or M11 to do this but I cannot set this up.

I am using USB, and I enclose photos of the board. It is "MACH3 controller for mini CNC" and I have versions 1.3 and 3.1. They look basically the same.

The DLL that Sainsmart gave me is for BL- UsbMach which when I look it up is for a different board. I am disheatened that I cannot get the laser to sync, but I can a bit if I put G4 commands in. Ienclose my file (G4's commented out)

Sainsmart say that Drufel (another CNC controller S/W does not have this problem (( conter whick noard - STB5100). But MACH3 is much better.

Do you have any other driver ideas? I have tried all the settings that I can think of!

Lawrence