So, to get around this problem we are now offering a DB25 Dual Breakout Board to get the signals directly from MACH3 and not the controller. Many motor controllers for use with MACH3 have poor documentation or the outputs just do not work correctly. Hardware Overview Using DB25 Dual Breakout Board Look at the manual and find where they have their outputs and connect to the appropriate one. If you have other controller/interface boards, it is pretty similar. Here is an example of a TB6560 4axis controller board with MACH3 connecting a laser: The end goal is to be able to turn on and off the laser with G Code in software on the computer. The computer connects to the interface board, the interface board to the laser driver board, and then to the laser.Ĭomputer -> Interface Board -> Laser Driver -> Laser!

An interface board with terminals for motors, inputs, and outputs.

A computer running MACH3 software with a parallel port.

Basically you have four things in the picture in terms of hardware: The implementation is pretty simple, but first we need to understand the details of what is going on behind the scenes.

Check out the section under Hardware Overview.

We have just introduced a new way to connect the laser using a “pass through” DB25 break out board. Many people are asking for an easier way to set-up the laser with MACH3. There are plenty of outputs on MACH3 that you can use to control the laser and every interface board we have seen implements at least one of these outputs. The answer is a simple YES! But the details behind it depend on the interface board you buy from a third party. We get a lot of questions every day on whether our upgrade kits work with MACH3. This simplifies the interface boards and allows for many manufacturers to make custom widgets. MACH 3 is a very popular software package for CNC machines that enables motion control on a normal computer via a parallel port without the need for fancy extra controller boards running motion control applications. Makerbot Replicator 2 and 2x Laser Upgrade.Generic Magnet Mounting Bundle Instructions.Vectric Non-Laser Module Post Processors.

Advanced optoelectronics for Industry, Research, and Enthusiasts.

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