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Your Own PC Setup

Preparing Your Own PC for MachPro

A practical setup guide for desktops, towers, mini-PCs, and laptops running Windows 7 through Windows 11.

1. Introduction

MachPro is engineered to give makers, machinists, and innovators the freedom to control any CNC machine with confidence, stability, and precision. 

This guide helps you prepare your Windows PC so MachPro runs at full performance and long-term reliability.

Additionally, you can always purchase a certified CNC control from MachLabs if you want to skip all this setup. 

2. System Requirements for MachPro

(Based on Mach4 recommendations, modernized and branded for MachPro)

2.1 Minimum Requirements

  • 2.0 GHz processor

  • 4 GB RAM

  • 10 GB free storage

  • 1 dedicated Ethernet port (for M31 Motion Controller)

  • Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 (64-bit recommended)

2.2 Recommended for Best CNC Performance

  • 3.0+ GHz multi-core CPU

  • 8–16 GB RAM

  • SSD storage (preferred over HDD)

  • Intel or Realtek Gigabit Ethernet (no USB-Ethernet adapters for machine connection)

  • Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro

  • No Wi-Fi use during machine operation (to reduce DPC latency)

3. General Windows Setup

3.1 Update Date, Time, and Time Zone

  • Enable Set time automatically

  • Enable Set time zone automatically (or select manually if machine is in a fixed region)

  • Ensure the PC clock is accurate — MachPro logs, file timestamps, and controller communication rely on it.

3.2 User Account Recommendations

  • Use a local administrator account

  • Disable mandatory password expiration

  • For shared shops: Create a dedicated user account like MachProOperator

3.3 Windows Update Behavior

  • Allow updates before installation

  • Disable active updates during machine use

  • Reboot after major updates

4. Power Settings (All Windows Versions)

Power-saving features can interrupt motion control. Configure manually:

4.1 Main Power Profile

  • Set Power Plan = Balanced (not Power Saver)

  • Disable or set all automatic sleep/shutdown features to Never

4.2 Required Detailed Power Settings

  • Sleep After → Never

  • Hibernate After → Never

  • Allow Hybrid Sleep → Off

  • Hard Disk Turn Off → Never (0 minutes)

  • USB Selective Suspend → Disabled

  • Wireless Adapter Power Saving → Maximum Performance

  • PCI Express → Link State Power Management → Off

  • Power Button Action / Sleep Button Action → Do Nothing

These settings ensure MachPro maintains stable communication with your M31 Motion Controller.

5. Network Adapter Configuration

The Ethernet NIC is critical for stable M31 communication. Realtek adapters are common in customer-supplied PCs.

Below are universal NIC optimizations, based on your screenshots.

5.1 Required Settings (based on Realtek PCIe GbE Advanced Properties)

Set the following to Disabled:

  • Energy-Efficient Ethernet

  • Green Ethernet

  • Gigabit Lite

  • Flow Control (optional — disable for maximum determinism)

These settings prevent the NIC from throttling or sleeping during CNC operations.

5.2 Auto Disable Gigabit

  • Set to Re-Link, Battery or AC (or Disabled if available)

5.3 Interrupt Moderation

  • Set to Disabled
    This prevents packet delays that affect real-time EtherCAT communication.

5.4 Speed & Duplex

  • Set to Auto Negotiation unless advised otherwise

  • Ensure you are using a shielded Ethernet cable for the M31 Controller

6. Driver Setup

6.1 Windows Device Manager

  • Confirm no yellow warning icons under any device

  • Update:

    • Ethernet drivers

    • Chipset drivers

    • Storage controllers

    • USB host controllers

    • Graphics drivers

6.2 MachLabs Recommendation

  • Avoid automatic video driver updates (optional advanced step)

  • You may optionally block driver updates for the GPU through Group Policy or registry control

  • This helps prevent graphics-related UI issues during MachPro use

7. Software Cleanup — Programs to Uninstall

Prebuilt PCs often include unnecessary software (“bloat”) that consumes CPU or network resources.

7.1 Recommended for Removal

  • Microsoft Edge (if not required in your environment)

  • OEM bloatware (Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo utilities)

  • Pre-installed antivirus trials

  • Cloud sync tools (OneDrive, Dropbox)

  • Gaming or multimedia enhancement apps

  • Vendor “auto update” utilities

  • Printer management software

7.2 Remove Any Software That:

  • Runs background services

  • Performs system scans

  • Uses the network continuously

  • Shows pop-ups

  • Injects overlays or graphics hooks

MachPro performs best on a clean, stable, minimal Windows environment.

8.1 Core Tools

  • Notepad++ — for clean, readable G-code and config editing

  • LibreOffice — for documentation and spreadsheet use

  • 7-Zip — to extract machine configuration packages

  • Google Chrome or Firefox — light, reliable browsers for support access

  • PDF Viewer

  • TeamViewer (for MachLabs support)

  • Vendor driver utilities when installing EtherCAT devices

  • CAM post-processors (Fusion, VCarve, SolidCAM, etc.)

9. Preparing for MachPro Installation

9.1 Required Hardware Checklist

  • Dedicated Ethernet port

  • Shielded Ethernet cable

  • Stable 24 VDC power to M31 Controller (from your control cabinet)

  • Disabled Wi-Fi during machine operation

  • Adequate cooling and dust protection

9.2 Install MachPro

Use the installer provided with your MachLabs system, then open:

  • MachPro Loader (choose your machine profile)

  • On first start, Cancel the enable/home prompt until motion configuration is complete

10. Performance Expectations with M31 + MachPro

The M31 Motion Controller includes:

  • 24 VDC input

  • Up to 6 axes of step/direction or EtherCAT control

  • Differential step outputs

  • 1.6 MHz pulse capability

  • 8 digital outputs and 16 digital inputs

  • Spindle analog output

  • Safety relay circuits

Combined with MachPro, this enables high-precision motion, smooth homing, stable running, and deterministic EtherCAT timing — all dependent on a properly configured PC.

11. Optional Advanced Settings

(Performed automatically on official MachLabs PC images)

  • Block GPU driver auto-updates

  • Restrict Windows updates to manual

  • Disable Cortana, web search integration

  • Remove telemetry services

  • Disable Fast Startup

  • Disable background apps

  • Configure automatic reboot suppression

  • Set Windows Explorer to classic performance mode

These steps are optional but can improve long-term stability.

12. Brand & Visual Guidance

MachLabs brand colors from provided assets:

  • Deep Blue (#0A2A43) — precision, trust

  • Soft Gray (#C8C8C8) — modern technology, neutrality

  • Accent White (#FFFFFF) — clarity and simplicity

Use clean spacing, bold section headers, and generous margins for readability in printed or digital form.

13. Summary

Your PC is now optimized for MachPro:

  • Power features disabled

  • Ethernet NIC tuned

  • Drivers updated

  • Background software removed

  • Essential tools installed

  • System clean and reliable

This ensures stable connection to your M31 Motion Controller and consistent CNC performance across all machine types — plasma, router, mill, lathe, and waterjet.

MachLabs stands with makers and machinists around the world, empowering you with simple, modern technology that helps you build freely and confidently.

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