Plugins
Plugins are expansion modules written for Mach3. The Plugins on this page are the work of their respective authors, and not necessarily written (or supported) by ArtSoft USA.
Barcode Scanner
Author:
Brian Barker
Version:
1.2
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Loads a program via Barcode ID
CandCNC DTHC (Digital Torch Height Control)
Download:
Author:
M. McKnight/T.Caudle
Version:
1.2
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Plug-in support for DTHC Expansion Module. (Upgrade for UBOB cards)
3rd Generation design with advanced features allows precise control of the plasma cutting process.
Embedded high speed processor and A/D gives quick response for accurate Torch Height tracking and advanced communications to MACH3
On-screen Popup with CUT PROFILES. User adds and edits. Store EVERY cut parameter for all types of metal and tips.
Control ALL of the DTHC functions on the Mach3 screens.
New “TIP SAVER” mode locks head moves that would cause the head to dive when crossing a void or at the end of a cut.
Adjustable Fault values and fault actions (Torch OFF on Fault, etc)
New Auto THC ON feature.
Works with MACH versions 3.042.020 and up.
Does NOT need an added parallel port.
CandCNC MPG101B 28 Function Hand Controller
Download:
Author:
M. McKnight
Version:
2.1
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Proportional 2 axis 360 deg Jogstick
Not a keyboard emulator
3 jog modes: Fast, Slow, Single Step
User configuration for button functions (8 buttons) allows access to dozens of MACH internal commands
Buttons for Jog Types and Run, FeedHold, & Stop
Buttons for Feedrate Override and Outputs On/Off
Automatic SETUP and RUN keyboard shift
Button push on jogstick switches jogstick control from XY to ZA
One-finger control (no rotary switches or knobs to twist)
CandCNC Universal Breakout Board (UBOB)
Download:
Author:
M. McKnight/T.Caudle
Version:
2.10
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Supports UBOB hardware with TDM port expansion
9 Fully Isolated inputs for Homes, Limits, Probes and Expansion card signals
8 High Speed S & D outputs. 4 independent Axis. Hardware slaving for 5th axis.
6 High current (double buffered) outputs for relays
2 Internal Outputs for DTHC and Spindle Speed Expansion Modules
CSMIO-IP
Download:
Author:
CS-Lab Electronics Partnership Co.
Version:
Hardware v2.0
Firmware v1.075
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
CS-Lab Electronics Partnership Co.
Special Features:
PC connection via Ethernet.
6 axis controller.
STEP frequency to 4MHz (differential outputs, very resistant to interference).
Extremely stable machine speed control, thanks to the FPGA and advanced control algorithms.
32 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs (possibility to extend to 192 inputs / 96 outputs through additional modules).
4 analog inputs / 2 analog outputs (0-10V).
All I/O are optically isolated, protected against short circuit, overheating, industry standard - 24V.
Up to 3 slave axis support, machine geometry correction.
Spindle inverter control through analog outputs.
An extension of functionality through additional CanOpen modules. Currently available modules:
- CSMIO-IO – module of 16 additional inputs and 8 outputs (24V, optical isolation, overload protection). Possible to connect 10 of these modules.
- CSMIO-JOG – MPG connection modules – smooth control of the machine motion, automatic switching between speed and position mode.
- Work is underway on the CSMIO-SCAN module - to operate the laser scanner.
Solid aluminium enclosure that discharge the heat very well and perfectly protects the electronic of the device.
Comfortable Din-rail mounting.
Succesfully developed software and the ability to update by yourself.
The possibility to control all digital and analog signals by VisualBasic macros.
Support for the FAULT signals of the servodrives – immediate machine stop In case of failure of any axis.
RESET support for the axis drives.
Readable LED controls on the front panel for easy installation.
In the next updates will be support for screws mapping and threading.
CSMIO-LPT
Download:
Author:
CS-Lab Electronics Partnership Co.
Version:
Hardware v1.0
Firmware v1.09
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
CS-Lab Electronics Partnership Co.
Special Features:
LPT Breakout board and additional MODBUS I/O in one inexpensive device.
4 axis support.
Easy installation, you don’t have to configure MODBUS registers.
Signals I/O 24V / STEP/DIR – 5V.
Additional analog signals – spindle inverter control, ability to connect the potentiometers to control feed rate and spindle speed.
Possibility to update by yourself.
I/O and STEP/DIR signals with additional noise suppression filters.
Ability to connect additional module of computer COM and LPT ports optical isolation.
Standard Power supply 24V, or dedicated CS-Lab power supply – then it’s also possible to control the switching on the voltage on the axis drives.
28 LED controls for easy installation.
CONTEC PIO
Author:
Steve Murphree
Version:
1.0
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Plugin support for the CONTEC PIO series I/O PCI cards.
Support for up to 4 cards.
The number of inputs and outputs are dependant on the PIO card model(s) used.
DSPMC/IP Motion Controller
Download:
Author:
Vital Systems Inc
Version:
Check Vendor Website
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
6 Axis Servo Control (±10V, 8 Channels).
6 Hardware Differential Encoder Inputs, 4 MHz Max freq.
Encoder Resolution Magnify by 4 in Hardware
3 Soft Encoder Inputs (eg. MPG input).
MPG Control using Electronic Gearing for quick response.
Probing.
Lathe Threading.
Backlash compensation.
Homing Using Home Sensor and/or optional Index Pulse.
Rotary Axis Homing with Index pulse.
Use One Home Sensor Input for all axis, or separate Home Sensors for each axis.
Option to use Limit switches as homing sensors.
Feedrate Override above 100%.
FeedHold uses ramping up/down to start and stop the machine.
Slave Axis Support.
5KHz PID Servo Loop for each axis.
PID Tuning Graph.
0-10v Spindle control.
Fast 10/100 MB Ethernet Communication with PC.
High Speed 3D machining support.
Digital 64 Inputs, 32 Outputs.
dspMacro - Basic Macros for fast I/O logic programming.
Engraving Trigger for Laser or Impact
Download:
Engraving Trigger Source - Source code for the Engraving Trigger plugin. Feel free to download and modify as needed to fit your application.
Author:
Art Fenerty
Version:
2.00.076
Status:
R & D
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Imports Photo and outputs DigTrigger at variable number of 5us pulses to trigger laser to grayscale output of image during X motor output
Flash
Download:
Author:
Art Fenerty
Version:
2.00.038
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Allows use of Flash screensets
G100
Download:
Motion Plugin - v3.037 (March 5, 2008)
I/O Only Plugin - This plugin does not move motors, it allows a G100 to be used in conjunction with the printer port or some other motion device. The G100 is available as Port 3 Inputs/Outputs and analog IO Only.
The G100 is old hardware, and these plugins are provided "as-is" with *NO* support. These plugins may not fully function with versions of Mach3 released after the plugin release date.
Author:
Art Fenerty / Steve Hardy
Version:
2.03.000
Status:
BETA
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
4Mhz pulsing engine
16 Outputs/ 22 Inputs
4 analogue ins/outs
Ethernet connection
Analog spindle only - No step/dir
The G100 requires no license, and is no longer supported.
Galil DMC Series
Author:
Brian Barker / Steve Murphree / Kenny Crouch
Version:
4.4 / 4.5
Status:
Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
3Mhz pulsing engine/ closed loop
4ms Trajectory planning
Ethernet or PCI models supported
iMach Screen Plugin
Download:
Author:
VistaCNC
Version:
1.00
Status:
BETA
Feedback:
email: support (at) vistacnc (dot) com
Website:
Special Features:
iMach pendant operation
iMach Screen
JCode
Download:
Author:
Brian Barker
Version:
1.0
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Jog to GCode recording
Joystick
Download:
Author:
Art Fenerty
Version:
2.00.035
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Works with any Microsoft compatible Windows JoyStick
dual axis control
Buttons mapped with joystick software to Mach3 buttons on screen
May not work with newer releases of Mach3
Joystick (Updated)
Download:
Author:
Queiroz Junior
Version:
1.04
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Compatible with Mach3 R2.009+
May not work with newer releases of Mach3
KFlop
Author:
Tom Kerekes/Werner Schrall
Version:
4.xx
Status:
Beta
Feedback:
email: info (at) dynomotion (dot) com
Website:
Special Features:
KFLOP1.2 GFLOP Motion Controller
High step rates (8 Step/Dir outputs 2.5MHz)
Kanalog option supports Analog Drives
8 Axis Closed Loop Servo Controller. 11 KHz Update
8 Channels Servo Drive Analog Outputs, Range ±10V
8 Channels Analog Inputs, Range ±10V
8 Relay Drivers/8 Opto Outputs/8 Opto Inputs
Mach MAD (Maintenance and Diagnostics)
Download:
Cost is $10.00/Mach3 installation. Payments can be sent via PayPal to PoppaBear (at) hughes.net. Please be sure to include your name or company when registering. The installer will be sent via email, so please include an alternate address if you want it sent somewhere other than the address payment was received from.
Author:
Scott “Poppa Bear” Shafer
Version:
3.8
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Real Time Monitor and Diagnostic tool, targeted at the OEM manufacturer, retrofitter, service, Mach3 screen designer, or Mach3 Customizer.
12 screens allow you to look at, change, or press any OEM button, OEM/User LED, OEM/User DRO, Serial Modbus Local Variable, or TCP Modbus Local Variable and Read all the Smart Labels, Read/Set all the User Labels and Tickers. (Note: you cannot change Mach OEM Read-only DROs/LEDs)
All 12 screens can be resized and minimized, allowing for interaction with your Mach screen while watching the results on the Mach MAD screen (and vice versa).
Choices are easily selectable from drop down menus.
A “Quick Pick” page has listings for Buttons, DROs, LEDs, and it has an “MDI” line for sending code to Mach3.
Other pages are dedicated to specific Objects: Buttons, DROs, LEDs, Serial MB, TCP MB, Labels/Tickers.
Trigger Macro Page: This can trigger up to 15 Macros from a User LED, the Macro will run ONCE per change of state from off to on.
Trigger User Labels Page: This can trigger up to 6 User labels from a User LED, you can put a message for LED On, and one for LED Off.
Trigger Ticker Page: This can trigger up to 6 Ticker labels from a User LED, you can put a message for LED On, and one for LED Off.
VB Command Page allos you to send standard VB commands to Mach3.
Message DROs: Display the status and/or error codes from high-end programmable drives. Works for all 6 axes as well as the spindle. The codes are read over Modbus and can have user messages that translate that code to "English", which are displayed on 1-7 tickers, for advanced drive status/diagnostics.
A User LED can be set to show the Mach MAD dialog from Mach’s screen.
Flash driven “Help/Setup guide”.
ncPod
Author:
Art Fenerty
Version:
3.00.00
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
USB pulseing engine, 75Khz
6 inputs, 4 outputs
PWM spindle control
Slaving, softlimits
May not work with newer releases of Mach3
PLCM Series Devices
Download:
Author:
PureLogic RnD
Version:
Check Vendor Website
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Ethernet or USB Full-speed connection
Up to 6 axes, 100kHz pulsing engine
PWM spindle control
Probing
Torch Height Control
Slave Axis support
Soft limits
Easy firmware update
DB25F connector to reproduce standard LPT connection
PoKeys Plugin
Download:
Author:
Scott Shafer
Version:
10.0
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
55 Digital I/O's (Input or Output for any pin may be set individually). User can choose to map I/O to Port 10 Mach functions, map them to/from User LED’s, or both.
Auxilliary Data Bus which allows the use of 80 additional Outputs.
2 Ranges for mapping Inputs to User LEDs.
2 Ranges for mapping User LEDs to Outputs.
4 Analog Inputs (3 Inputs if an Analog Output tied to spindle speed is chosen).
4-axis Analog joystick support.
7 32-bit Encoders with user mapping to Mach specific encoders/MPGs.
Optional PWM Output (tied to Spindle control)vfor spindle control boards.
LCD display ranging from 1x8 to 4x20 characters which can be used to show DROs or any other data.
2 additional/option PWM Outputs: 1 for controlling LCD LED backlight brightness, 1 for controlling LCD text contrast.
Matrix Keys support for up to 8x16 Matrix Keys.
Matrix LED support for up to Two 8x8 Matrix LEDs.
Can also be used as a Keystroke emulator and run “Key Macros” for Mach3 or any other application.
Preconfigured Pendant controls for the pendants sold from CNC4PC and PoScope.
Installer includes: XML profile (”PoKeys.xml”), screenset with diagnostic/testing page for the PoKeys (“PoKeys.set”), Flash Driven Help file, and “PoKeys0.dll”. (Note: you will need at least 2.0.7 PoKeys firmware update).
Custom OEM PoKeys Plugins are available for a fee.
PowerMate
Download:
Author:
Art Fenerty
Version:
2.00.046
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Jogs any axis at Jog% speed setting. Press button to switch axis, press for 1/s second to enable/disable.
May not work with newer releases of Mach3
ShuttlePRO
Author:
Art Fenerty / Scott Shafer
Version:
3.00
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Pendent Control / jog device
15 buttons
2 jog wheels
Pro & Xpress models supported
SmoothStepper
Download:
Author:
Art Fenerty / Greg Cary
Version:
1.19.xxx
Status:
BETA
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
4Mhz pulseing engine
Dual Printer Port
TC-Emulator Board
Author:
Queiroz Junior
Version:
Status:
Full Release
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
32 Optically Isolated Inputs
Torch Height Control
Download:
Author:
Brian Barker
Version:
1.0A
Status:
Experimental - Unsupported
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Uses any analog input to do torch height control
Video WebCam Point Cloud Scanner
Download:
Author:
Art Fenerty
Version:
2.00
Status:
R & D
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Scans table with WebCam and Laser Line to create point clouds
Meshing program in development
Xbox 360 Controller
Author:
Lee Davis
Version:
2.3.8.0
Status:
Release - Limited Support
Feedback:
Website:
Special Features:
Run your mill with an Xbox 360 Controller
Requires XINPUT1_3.DLL to function (can be downloaded from Microsoft as part of a DirectX redistributables package)
If not connected to the internet, requires XBox360_32Eng.exe driver file