# Time to convert to EX with ClearPath? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Created:** [May 22, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790 "2025-05-22T16:24:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fcfnc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fcfnc](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Fcfnc)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790/1 "2025-05-22T16:24:51Z")
I have had the upgrade sitting here for a few weeks. My shop is very busy and I can’t seem to find enough downtime to install the upgrade. How long, ballpark, will it take to install the upgrade and have the machine back up and running? I would like to set aside the time between jobs if I know approximately how long it will take. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![GarthJones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5ac83/32.png) [@GarthJones](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/GarthJones)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790/2 "2025-05-22T19:07:33Z")
I did it over a couple of days but it wasn’t two full work days. About 8-10 hours, but I was not going fast. For me the two slowest steps were the teardown/rebuild of the z-axis and removing all the old cables I no longer needed and running the new cables. Avid’s plans are well done, so it was all quite straightforward. If you have a second person to help with the cables, that step could be much faster than it was for me. ---
**Author:** ![grossmsj](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/grossmsj/32/4903_2.png) [@grossmsj](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/grossmsj)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:22pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790/3 "2025-05-22T19:22:20Z")
Are you still using Mach 4 and changing to EX (CNC12), or just swapping motors? ---
**Author:** ![Fcfnc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fcfnc](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Fcfnc)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 8:01pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790/4 "2025-05-22T20:01:06Z")
Upgrading to EX and the Clearpath motors. ---
**Author:** ![berrianmtn](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/berrianmtn/32/4852_2.png) [@berrianmtn](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/berrianmtn)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790/5 "2025-05-22T21:27:28Z")
I also did this over two days but that time was split with non-related tasks. In addition to the mechanical upgrades, if you haven’t used CNC12 before, there is some learning curves/gotchas that could extend your downtime. I would factor time for these potential issues. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/time-to-convert-to-ex-with-clearpath/4790/6 "2025-05-23T14:53:08Z")
I think one could do it in a day if you read through the upgrade docs ahead of time and really get your head around what you’re doing. I’ve done them myself in a few hours, but I’m a special case given that I have done it several times.