CNC MACH 3 runs on LAPTOP or not

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JerseyBill

AzB Silver Member
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Does the Storm CNC unit have to be run on a pc or can we use a laptop. I bought a usb to DB25 IEEE-1284 Printer ADAPTER This can fit into a laptop and put a parallel port access on the laptop. I've done some reading and this may not work if the volts put out are not at least 5v but I'm not sure if this unit puts this out. And I'm not sure if that's even true. Maybe Jim Babcock knows the answer or one of the other geniuses on this site. My pc is so old and about to go and I don't have room for it either. I really would like to run Mach 3 and Bobcad on the laptop and connect the controller box to the adapter on the laptop. I've also heard about a "smooth stepper" which I'm not sure what it is but it might do the job. ANYONE PLEASE
thanks Bill
 
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I think you have use 32 bits NOT 64 BITS they recommend pc desktop. Window xp prefer.
PM mc2 I am sure you can help you.

http://www.bobcad.com/downloads/post-processors

http://www.bobcad.com/support/system-requirements

Here's Mach3 softwear requirement:
Software Requirements

Keeping with our home hobbyist roots, the minimum software requirements to run Mach are very reasonable. Below are the specifications for running Mach3 stably.

Mach3 Minimum Requirements:



32-bit Desktop (using the parallel port)
◦32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Operating System (64-bit will not work)
◦1Ghz CPU
◦512MB RAM
◦Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM
◦Basic Computer Skills (ability to copy/rename files, browse directories, etc)


Laptop / 64-bit Desktop (using an external motion controller)
◦An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
◦Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Operating System
◦1Ghz CPU
◦512MB RAM
◦Basic Computer Skills (ability to copy/rename files, browse directories, etc)
 
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Just get a laptop with the right requirements for Mach, and run a smoothstepper with it. You can use the USB version, but I would go with the ethernet model. It is less prone to noise issues. The SS basically takes the step and direction calculations away from the PC. This gives the PC a break, and the SS does a better job of it anyway.
 
JerseyBill said:
Does the Storm CNC unit have to be run on a pc or can we use a laptop. I bought a usb to DB25 IEEE-1284 Printer ADAPTER This can fit into a laptop and put a parallel port access on the laptop. I've done some reading and this may not work if the volts put out are not at least 5v but I'm not sure if this unit puts this out. And I'm not sure if that's even true. Maybe Jim Babcock knows the answer or one of the other geniuses on this site. My pc is so old and about to go and I don't have room for it either. I really would like to run Mach 3 and Bobcad on the laptop and connect the controller box to the adapter on the laptop. I've also heard about a "smooth stepper" which I'm not sure what it is but it might do the job. ANYONE PLEASE
thanks Bill
Click to expand...

Bill both these guys are correct. You could do it with a laptop however the adapter that you have will not work. You could go the Smooth Stepper route however it takes a bit of understanding to set up. Besides that you could purchase an entire PC for the cost of the Smooth Stepper and you will not need an adapter. Here is a link as an example.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FREE-WIRELE...0826084526?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item4d06c570ae

Why add extra complications to what your setting up?
 
I agree with Royce on the SmoothStepper question. And yes, you must run Mach3 on a 32bit version of Windows 7, or XP - they have not yet developed a 64-bit driver for Mach3.

Finally, I used to run Mach3 on a laptop just fine, as do many others. But you have to go into Control Panel/Device Manager/System Devices/??? and turn off ACPI and set the laptop for "Standard PC". This turns off some of the shared timing that a laptop does to preserve battery power. Also, you want to pretty much turn off any sleep or hibernate settings on a laptop.

There is a new version of Mach (Mach4) coming out soon and it will be released in 3 (I think) different versions. Not sure about 64-bit support. You can find a little bit about it on the Mach Support forum.

HTH

Gary
 
JerseyBill said:
Does the Storm CNC unit have to be run on a pc or can we use a laptop. I bought a usb to DB25 IEEE-1284 Printer ADAPTER This can fit into a laptop and put a parallel port access on the laptop. I've done some reading and this may not work if the volts put out are not at least 5v but I'm not sure if this unit puts this out. And I'm not sure if that's even true. Maybe Jim Babcock knows the answer or one of the other geniuses on this site. My pc is so old and about to go and I don't have room for it either. I really would like to run Mach 3 and Bobcad on the laptop and connect the controller box to the adapter on the laptop. I've also heard about a "smooth stepper" which I'm not sure what it is but it might do the job. ANYONE PLEASE
thanks Bill
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, I was looking to save room , the table I am using and my shop are totally crowded. I suppose I'm being dumb and should be happy with a desktop ..maybe the next version will allow it, but i'll stick with this now. thanks again..I guess I should return it.
Bill
 
I haven't fooled around with cnc for a few years. But I read almost the entire manuals for Mach 3, and for EMC (a free linux version of a controller), trying both to see which worked better for me.

The Mach 3 manual was very explicit in recommending a desktop pc, and not a laptop.

That said, I had a cnc saw machine that ran on a laptop ok, as far as I could tell. And I had a Taig CNC that I ran on a desktop. I barely ran either machine except for setup (I lost interest in making cues...), so I can't offer long term experience perspective.

If I were setting up a shop today, I'd get a very small used desktop on Craigslist, like a Pentium 4 used for probably $50, and a used small 15" or 17" LCD screen for $20. Dell made desktops that were about the size of a phonebook a few years ago. I'd make that PC dedicated to controlling the cnc, and not use it for anything else. Then, I'd have a modern laptop or desktop to run any CAD and/or CAM software.

I believe I also read in the Mach forums when I was setting up my systems that someone had a Windows image that was better at running the software. It was stripped of all the crap MS adds that just gets in the way.
 
exactly

iusedtoberich said:
I haven't fooled around with cnc for a few years. But I read almost the entire manuals for Mach 3, and for EMC (a free linux version of a controller), trying both to see which worked better for me.

The Mach 3 manual was very explicit in recommending a desktop pc, and not a laptop.

That said, I had a cnc saw machine that ran on a laptop ok, as far as I could tell. And I had a Taig CNC that I ran on a desktop. I barely ran either machine except for setup (I lost interest in making cues...), so I can't offer long term experience perspective.

If I were setting up a shop today, I'd get a very small used desktop on Craigslist, like a Pentium 4 used for probably $50, and a used small 15" or 17" LCD screen for $20. Dell made desktops that were about the size of a phonebook a few years ago. I'd make that PC dedicated to controlling the cnc, and not use it for anything else. Then, I'd have a modern laptop or desktop to run any CAD and/or CAM software.

I believe I also read in the Mach forums when I was setting up my systems that someone had a Windows image that was better at running the software. It was stripped of all the crap MS adds that just gets in the way.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I have now. I guess the grass is always greener. I was trying to save space. I guess the amount I would save is minor.
The keyboard and mouse get in the way too. I'll have to find space elsewhere. Thanks for the time to everyone else too.
Bill
 
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