mach3 without a printer port

[jhowelb]

It probably has been worked to death and I missed it...................

Will we be able to use mach3 after the printer port goes away?

[rig gap]

Yes...just have to get a USB motion controller...it plugs into your breakout board with a DB-25 connector on one side and a USB port on the other, then connect to your Mach3 computer with USB...I’ve been running mine like that for at least 2 years.

[jhowelb]

Where and what did you buy, and what OS are you running?
And thank you for the reply!

[TReischl]

I use one called Smooth Stepper. Been using it for at least 5 years.

[ger21]

A bigger issue is with Windows. Recent updates to both Windows 7 and Windows 10 have prevented Mach3 from running at all.

If you do plan on getting a motion control, I'd recommend one of CNC Drive's controllers, and then just switch to their UCCNC software for $60. It's already better than Mach3, works with the latest versions of Windows, and is actively being developed.

[Leo]

I have been running my machine on Mach3 with Windows 7 and on USB since 2015 and upgraded to win 10 when it was released, I think in 2016.

I don't have any problems with it.

[ger21]

For many people, Mach3 stopped working after the latest Windows 10 update.
CNC Router Parts came up with a fix and Artsoft released a patched version, but there are no guarantees that Mach3 will run forever.

For those with the Windows 7 update issue, the only option is to roll back the update and turn off automatic updates.

[Dclifton2]

Mach3 run great on Windows 10.
Don

[rig gap]

I’m running on an old Windows XP desktop machine that I’ve removed everything except Mach3 and the operating system...my USB controller is a UCS-100 that I found on the internet shortly after I finished building my router, so it’s been closer to 3 years now...if/when it finally decides to give up, I’ll change to a Windows 7, 10, or whatever is available and what works...I haven’t had any (knock, knock) issues with Mach3, XP, or the UCS-100 from day one.

[ger21]

Direct from Artsoft.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index. ... 291.0.html

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index. ... #msg254321

[jhowelb]

A question occurs to me, a little delayed.

The newer versions of windows machines don't come with a paralell port.......
So why not install one? You can still buy ports, or even salvage one from an old machine. As long as there is an expansion slot this should be possible

Win7 will run a port, I have a machine doing so.

Why not go directly to the missing link?

[ger21]

Artsoft just posted a fix/workaround for the issue with Mach3 crashing Windows 7.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index. ... cseen.html