Mach3
 Mach3's Main Screen | |
| Status | In Production |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Newfangled Solutions / Artsoft |
| MSRP | $175.00 |
Mach3 is one of the most popular commercial CNC programs available for hobbyist and professional CNC machines alike. It is one of the most fully featured CNC software packages available, with a large user base and support community.
Mach3 turns a typical computer into a CNC machine controller. It is very rich in features and provides a great value to those needing a CNC control package. Mach3 works on most Windows PC’s to control the motion of motors (stepper & servo) by processing G-Code. While comprising many advanced features, it is the most intuitive CNC control software available. Mach3 is customizable and has been used for many applications with numerous types of hardware.[1]
A demo version of Mach3 is available from http://www.machsupport.com/
The demo is fully featured, but has a limit on the file size to 500 lines (enough for typically only a few minutes of machine time). Fully licensed copies are available from A Quick CNC in the store.
Features
Here are some of the basic features and functions provided by Mach3:
- Converts a standard PC to a fully featured, 6-axis CNC controller
- Allows direct import of DXF, BMP, JPG, and HPGL files through LazyCam
- Visual Gcode display
- Generates Gcode via LazyCam or Wizards
- Fully customizable interface
- Customizable M-Codes and Macros using VBscript
- Spindle Speed control
- Multiple relay control
- Manual pulse generation
- Video display of machine
- Touch screen ability
- Full screen eligibility
Mach3 has successfully been used to control the following types of equipment:
- Lathes
- Mills
- Routers
- Lasers
- Plasma
- Engravers
- Gear cutting
Wizards
Wizards
Wizards are “mini-programs” that extend the capabilities of Mach3. Wizards can be written by anyone and are designed to allow users to quickly perform routine or convenient operations without the need to have a pre-written G-Code file. Included with Mach3 are some free Wizards that were contributed by users. These short-cuts should not be confused with the Add-on’s for Mill or the new Mill Wizard software, which are more advanced wizard packages with integrated operations. Some typical wizard operations:
- Gear cutting
- Digitizing
- Holes
- Slots and keyways
- Text engraving
- Many standard shapes
- Surfacing
Many more wizards are available from 3rd party developers.
Minimum System Requirements
Parallel port control only supported on 32-bit versions of Windows.
32-bit Desktop – Parallel Port Versions
- 32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
- 1Ghz CPU
- 512MB RAM
- Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)
Laptop, 32 or 64-bit Desktop – External Motion Controller Only
- An appropriate external motion controller, such as SmoothStepper, UC100 and others.
- Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
- 1Ghz CPU
- 512MB RAM
- Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)