For your axes, the SmoothSteppers can control stepper motor drivers and digital servo motor drivers. Since the SmoothStepper outputs 5V signals (with currents limited to 24 or 32 mA), you will need a motor driver between the SmoothStepper and the motor itself. What kind of motors and drivers can I use? Also there are the documentation pages for ESS and the USS. To see the product details and differences between the ESS and USS SmoothSteppers, please visit the Products page. In Mach3 always check 'Menu -> Help -> About Mach3 CNC Controller' to make sure it shows it is licensed to you, if you are having problems.

We had some suspicions about the validity of that user's license. On one occasion we have seen that the main Mach3 Window will say 'Licensed to SOME NAME' but if you go into the 'Menu -> Help -> About Mach3 CNC Controller' you will see that it says 'Licensed to: Demo Version.' When a new profile was created, it worked in that new profile, but never in the older user profile. If you are using an invalid, cracked, or hacked license, Mach may intentionally corrupt your data so as to not let you use your equipment. Either way, you need to add your license to the program. You also may have reinstalled Mach and forgotten to add your license. Also Mach will not support Plasma or Lathe features while in demo mode. The problem very likely is that you are running the demo mode of Mach3/4 which has a 500 line limit for G-Code.

The machine cuts correctly to begin with, but then starts making bad/incorrect cuts.

Your G-Code loads into Mach3 (or Mach4), but doesn't render properly.

You can't get the THC button to turn on in plasma mode.

Your G-Code stops every time on the same line, near the beginning.

A very small G-Code file runs fine, but a larger one doesn't.

If you are experiencing weird issues like:

My machine stops at the same place every time The THC button does not work Lathe features don't work My G-Code doesn't render properly. What is the difference between Mach3, Mach4 Hobby and Mach4 Industrial?.What kind of motors and drivers can I use?.My machine stops at the same place every time The THC button does not work Lathe features don't work My G-Code doesn't render properly.Please note that we have other FAQ pages, just hover over the FAQ menu button to see the other pages.

Mach3 software hacks