Today I was cutting with no issues…switch to Plasma start cutting and Mach4 shuts down.
I thought I might have clicked to close it.
So run it again it starts cutting and then shuts down while the plasma is running…
Anything I should look at…or reinstall? This would be about the 18th time
This pc is not connected to internet running windows 10 pro.
Thanks.
update…
Did a reinstall nothing, system restore it now works again but the buttons for the plasma and THC displays are not working… did a reinstall again now it seems to be working
IMO, Mach 4 is DOA. I’ve been using UCCNC with a UC300eth along side a small charge pump board. Personally, I don’t think that is workable either. for one, all the IO is software defined in the UC300eth, so inputs are enabled by default on boot, so there is a 1/2 second where you turn on the machine where the solenoids click on and the brake releases.
Also, UCCNC has maybe the worst probe screen of anything I’ve ever encountered.
I think maybe a Masso is the right answer, and, barring that, possibly going all the way to Centroid.
I really appreciate your post and all the others that have posted about problems with Mach4.
I have been running Mach3 for 8 or 9 years, 5 years on an AVID machine and it has only “failed” once - got an error code about running out of data. Never did figure out the exact problem. The file ran perfectly the second time.
I don’t EVER plan to convert to Mach4!!!
I was tempted when it first came out, but no way now!
I am quite sure allot of people are running Mach4 with no issues…but I am not one.
The Mach4 screen is nice…but I feel like Tom Cruise in the movie American made…when he is going to start his car he does not know if it going to start or blow up lol.
I am looking into Uccnc (Centroid looks good too)and in the future get another Avid cnc table to split my machines Router and Plasma only. I never had issues with the Mechanical side of things.
Love the machine…Avid support is good too.
I have had no issues with Mach 4, guess I should count myself lucky. I am using windows 11 with an i7 and 16gb of
Memory. Nothing special just a small intel NUC. When it exits does leave any
Logs, errors , etc?
I use UCCNC on my Benchtop Standard and it’s…fine. The ‘way’ it works is a little clunky, and besides customizing the GUI (now THAT process needs some real help) seems pretty walled-off against customization.
I run Mach4 on my PRO4848 with no screen mods - straight from Avid - and have experienced no issues. I’ve even extended it with some custom macros and wizards, which doesn’t impact the core runtime functionality. My setup is also pretty simple - spindle mode only, currently no rotary/laser/plasma accessories.
On the PRO/Mach4 machine, I rest easier knowing that there’s support if something did start acting up. With anything else, I know I’d be spending time trying to marry two independent systems.
I’ve had some wonkiness with my system as well. It is very sporadic, and not repeatable. But still annoying. I’m probably stretching/reaching/praying for something to help - right now I’m waiting on some quality surge protectors that I will be putting on the controlling PC (running Mach 4), and in front of the Avid 120V control box.
In my shop, I have a mini split that could randomly be turning on and off; as well as a 60gal air compressor (that I purge for 2 seconds every 45 minutes to avoid condensation).
My flakiness has almost always occurred on longer cuts. So I plan on experimenting with the surge suppressors.
Are you running a dust collector? Also make sure you are some how grounding the dust collection hose. That can cause static electricity to potentially cause issues.
I think it is best to ground it at the wall. I have a 6" dust hose going from my spindle dust boot to a 6" PVC mounted on the wall. I started right past my dust boot, and wrapped a thin copper wire (from Home depot) around the dust hose all the way to the wall where it meets the PVC. At the wall, I ran the wire down to some conduit, which is grounded, and just screwed it into there. You could run it into the ground of an outlet. If this doesn’t make sense, let me know and I can take a photo.
The purpose is to get it to go away from the machine, in case electricity through the machine affects it. Before I did this, I would get a static shock when I touched the dust boot. After: nothing!
Corbin where I am at I never had a static shock. but I guess extra grounding cannot hurt.
Pls post pics if you can. I reverted to Mach 2.3.8 which seems to be the less problematic one for router. Anyways I give up on this too much time wasted…I want to make parts not trying to make the machine run.
