[DROTH]

New to the forum and hope you can help. I have retired so everyday is a Saturday and I've finally found the time to build a CNC Router. But have hit the fog on selecting a controller card for Mach3. I have experience in CNC, previously had 4'x8' Laser (WinCNC) and with Autocad. Never used Mach3 but looks like the best fit for me for this build.

I have 1 more day to finish the mechanical phase of the build. Its been a blast, other than not having an end mill for milling and drilling, it's been no problem. I purchased and used the following components:
- 6060 ext Al and AL plate
- Dual 1000 mm (Y) 800mm (X) 300mm (Z) linear rails with 1605 ball screws.
- 4 ea. Nema 23 425 oz steppers and DM542T drivers.
- 3.3 WC Spindle w VFD.
- 2 ea. 48-350-7.3 power supplies, to be wired in series to run @ 45v
-. 24v power supply (control)

Now I'm at the Control Panel phase and stuck on selecting a controller card.
I have looked at several Mach3 controllers and was considering the Wasp9 Ethernet or UC400 5lpt .for Eth communication and smoothstepper. But cost is high and I can't visualize how to wire the up. If I had the Gecko 540, a ribbon cable would quick and easy but I already have the DM542T so will need to add breakout boards to wire them in. Adds cost and I have not seen a clear diagram defining pinnouts. Never understood parrellal ports.
I've looked at the C94, which clearly IDs the wiring but high cost and I'm not sure if it is a smooth stepper.
Openbuilds has a CnC4 USB, at $89, better price and provides clear pin locations but looks to be limited in future expansion and is it smooth stepper?

Eventually, in addition to add motor, VFD, Limit(home/end) switches, i would like have the card controlling:
- remote Pendent
- relays for Dust Collection & Water Pump
-. Possibly add a 5th axis Rotory & touch pad.

greatly appreciate you time and hope you can shed some light to keep me on track to make some wood chips....my wife hates finding a trail in fine Al specs in the house!


Thanks, DanR

 

[difalkner]

Welcome to the forum, Dan! We do like photos so show us that CNC build, your shop, projects, etc. whenever you're able.

I built my CNC about 6 or 7 years ago and used the ESS along with their companion board, the C25S. I haven't looked at their site since the build so they may well have upgrades, different components, etc.

 

[ger21]

Never used Mach3 but looks like the best fit for me for this build.

10 years ago, it was, but not anymore.
I highly recommend looking at UCCNC. It's only $60, rather than $175, and it's much better than Mach3. Mach3 development ended over 10 years ago. UCCNC is actively being developed, with new features constantly being added. The makers of UCCNC, CNC Drive, make controller boards that work with both Mach3 and UCCNC. I'd recommend either their AXBB-E, or UC400ETH boards, regardless of whether using Mach3 or UCCNC.

 

[PhilBa]

New to the forum and hope you can help. I have retired so everyday is a Saturday and I've finally found the time to build a CNC Router. But have hit the fog on selecting a controller card for Mach3. I have experience in CNC, previously had 4'x8' Laser (WinCNC) and with Autocad. Never used Mach3 but looks like the best fit for me for this build.

I have 1 more day to finish the mechanical phase of the build. Its been a blast, other than not having an end mill for milling and drilling, it's been no problem. I purchased and used the following components:
- 6060 ext Al and AL plate
- Dual 1000 mm (Y) 800mm (X) 300mm (Z) linear rails with 1605 ball screws.
- 4 ea. Nema 23 425 oz steppers and DM542T drivers.
- 3.3 WC Spindle w VFD.
- 2 ea. 48-350-7.3 power supplies, to be wired in series to run @ 45v
-. 24v power supply (control)

Now I'm at the Control Panel phase and stuck on selecting a controller card.
I have looked at several Mach3 controllers and was considering the Wasp9 Ethernet or UC400 5lpt .for Eth communication and smoothstepper. But cost is high and I can't visualize how to wire the up. If I had the Gecko 540, a ribbon cable would quick and easy but I already have the DM542T so will need to add breakout boards to wire them in. Adds cost and I have not seen a clear diagram defining pinnouts. Never understood parrellal ports.
I've looked at the C94, which clearly IDs the wiring but high cost and I'm not sure if it is a smooth stepper.
Openbuilds has a CnC4 USB, at $89, better price and provides clear pin locations but looks to be limited in future expansion and is it smooth stepper?

Eventually, in addition to add motor, VFD, Limit(home/end) switches, i would like have the card controlling:
- remote Pendent
- relays for Dust Collection & Water Pump
-. Possibly add a 5th axis Rotory & touch pad.

greatly appreciate you time and hope you can shed some light to keep me on track to make some wood chips....my wife hates finding a trail in fine Al specs in the house!


Thanks, DanR

You might want to look into a 32 bit Grbl like grblHAL. It can handle all the things you list and is open source so no license fees. There are a number of low cost breakout boards.

 

[old55]

Welcome to the forum Dan.

 

[DROTH]

Thanks Ross, looking forward to sharing and learning from the group. Like one other I read on the forum, I used to chk in on CNC Zone but that's changed.

 

[DROTH]

Welcome to the forum Dan.

 

[DROTH]

May have screwed up an upload. Here are pics of my progress so far.

 

[difalkner]

Here are pics of my progress so far.

Looks good, Dan. Keep us posted.

 

[jw2170]

G;day Dan, welcome to the forum