[mucklestone]

Hi

I'm looking for some recomendations on alternatives to Mach3 and Planet CNC.

I'm new to the world of CNC, having just bought a chinese 3040 3 axis CNC mill, for some DIY and lightweight hobby stuff! I've done a few simple tests and am really pleased with the machine. However, I need to decide what software to use.

The machine came with Planet CNC and Mach3. However looking into it more, I think the mach 3 software might be a cloned version. I initially assumed mach3 had now been made free or something (after all the parallel port is pretty out of date now!), but looking at people explaining how to crack it online, I guess not! I'm not comfortable using fake software, it's not fair on the developers, so I am looking elsewhere! I think the planet cnc is genuine, it came with a license, but I can't get it to work.

I am thinking of using Linux CNC as an alternative, but not sure how I would setup the machine. If I used the parallel port would the ports and pins settings be the same as for mach3? Just after some advice before I spin up a computer on linux!

I'm looking for a genuinely free option, not some illegal copy. I'd be happy looking into paid versions later when I move on to more complex things, but I've just bought the machine, I'd like to get a little use out of it before I invest more!

Any advice would be great!

Thanks

[samco]

download the linuxcnc iso

Getting LinuxCNC

try it (boot off of the cd to try linuxcnc) or install it. Use stepconf to setup your printer port.

Stepper Configuration Wizard

if you what something a lot more powerful than a printer port - $89 gets you 2 high speed printer ports and almost unlimited expandability (pci or ethernet).
5i25
https://mesaus.com/index.php?route=p...&product_id=63

[ger21]

LinuxCNC is the only free parallel port option.

If you want to stay with Windows, you can get a UCCNC license and their UC100 motion controller for under $200.

And FWIW, I've recently seen several people that have recently received machines with pirated PlanetCNC hardware. I doubt that you got a legit license.

[mucklestone]

I'm really grateful for the replies - thanks for the advice!

I've gone with Linux CNC for now. I've installed the software and got it running. Motors seem slightly slower than on Mach3, but I can live with that!

I'm a bit concerned that the motors are humming a more than before whilst stationary. I'm wondering if it is the Driver Timing Settings, in particular the Direction Hold and Direction Setup Values. Where would I find these vaues in Mach3 to transfer?

Thanks Again!

[ger21]

There are no Mach3 settings that have any affect while the motors are not spinning. When the motors are stationary, they are not receiving any data from Mach3.

[mucklestone]

There are no Mach3 settings that have any affect while the motors are not spinning. When the motors are stationary, they are not receiving any data from Mach3.

Thanks. So when stationary the motors just take power from the control board then I guess? Is that typical for most software, will that be the same for linix cnc?

I really appreciate the help with this!

[ger21]

When stepper drives are not receiving steps, they just hold the motors in place. When there is no motion, the software is not sending any data on the step line. All it does is hold the direction line at 0V or 5V.

Cheaper drives can make hissing and other noises when the motors are stationary. This can vary with microstep settings, and motor position.

[samco]

well...

It depends on how the system was setup. Internally - linuxcnc can run the stepgenerators in position mode and velocity mode. If run in velocity mode and not tuned well the steppers could hunt like a servo does.

Could you attach your hal and ini files so we could take a look?

sam

[jason-weihong]

Hello, our company provides all solutions for CNC machine. serch ncstudio or weihong on youtube to get some information.