Mach3 dual installation ?

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Toni CM
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Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by Toni CM »

Hi guys.
Is it possible to have two separate Mach3 installations on the same PC so that one can run either one on demand?

I am asking because it has taken me a while to get every parameter of my machine set up correctly, together with a probe script, and I want to deepen more in the knowledge of Mach3 and maybe using different screens or incorporating other scripts.
So the idea is no to mess around with the installation that is working correctly, and make any trial or modification with the secondary one so that if anything wrong I will not damage what has taken me so much effort to get it right.

Any hint will be appreciated.
Regards

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TReischl
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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by TReischl »

Make a copy of the Mach 3 directory, everything. Then you can do whatever you want and if you need to go back to the original, just copy it over the changes.

Mach 3 doesn't really use any of the typical Windows installation stuff, so you can do that.

But, all that said, I would be ditching Mach 3 as soon as practical. It gets more difficult to use with each update of Windows. Eventually it is going to be unusable. No point in putting a lot of effort into a package that is no longer supported.
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Leo
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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by Leo »

I agree with Ted Just copy your current Mach3 to a new folder. Change folder name as needed. The Mach3.XML file has all your settings. Back that up to an OFFLINE torage safe place even to a usb drive and kep in a desk draw
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Toni CM
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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by Toni CM »

TReischl wrote:
Sat Feb 01, 2025 2:43 pm
But, all that said, I would be ditching Mach 3 as soon as practical. It gets more difficult to use with each update of Windows. Eventually it is going to be unusable. No point in putting a lot of effort into a package that is no longer supported.
Thanks, that's something that I am thinking about, the problem is that my machine uses a parallel port, and as far as I know Mach4 does not suport it. So I guess I should get some sort of parallel to USB adapter that works well with Mach4.

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Leo
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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by Leo »

If you upgrade to something like Centroid or some other brand you can get USB or Ethernet communication.

I have just upgraded to Centroid Acorn that uses Ethernet cable.

Even with that said - Mach3 is still just fine and is a viable option to operate a CNC machine.
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TReischl
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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by TReischl »

I prefer UCCNC to Centroid. What I would really like is a Masso control, but I am cheap when it comes to controls.
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GEdward
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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by GEdward »

To answer your first question straight away, yes. But, you seem to indicate that you will be running only one machine at any given time so why not just create another machine profile for the other machine? I have even set up another profile for the same machine while I experimented with mods. In fact, I will be setting up a separate machine profile for my current machine when I add a laser attachment to it.

If you do add some other screen sets, they will be available to every machine profile. If you are concerned about that, then you might want another independent installation of Mach3. But I have one other screen set, which I like, and I see no reason to believe that there is any danger of crashing Mach3 into an unrecoverable mess. Besides, as it has been said earlier, just back Mach3 up in another file, partition, thumb drive or SD card and go for it.

As far as ditching Mach3 altogether because of compatibility issues with new versions of Window, just don't use a newer version of Windows. I am using Windows 7 for my setup and the computer is not online ever. If I want to get a file to it I send it via Bluetooth or USB thumb drive. If you are not using an independent computer to run your machine it might be something to consider. It cost me $149.00 + tax to order a refurbished and upgraded Dell desktop complete with a 500Gb SSD and a 1Tb secondary drive and improved memory. Overkill for sure from the performance side but at that price I really don't mind. I'm rambling a bit but my point is, you don't have to ditch Mach3 if it does everything you want and you are comfortable with it.

Ed

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Re: Mach3 dual installation ?

Post by GEdward »

I should also mention that CNC4PC makes, and I have used, a UC100 motion control that is pretty slick for upgrading a serial port machine without breaking the bank at $125.95. With it you simply plug it into the serial port on your machine and a USB port on the computer. The purchase gets a you a discount on the purchase of UCCNC control software, which TReischl mentioned earlier, and allows you to use Mach3, Mach4 or UCCNC interchangeably from one computer. The cost of UC100 and UCCNC control software as a package is currently $185.95 from Automation Technologies or you can go directly to CNC4PC.

There is one glitch that happens using Mach3 with the UC100 in that if you press "Pause", the DRO and GCode on the Mach screen freezes immediately while the machine continues to run out the buffer in the UC100. When the buffer runs out, is the machine where the DRO says it is come into question. I got around that by using the E Stop instead but I thought you should be aware of that quirk should you go that direction. Otherwise, going to UCCNC will eliminate that issue.

Ed

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