Quick-Start Tips

Check Packaging

Sometimes the expansion foam used in packaging can "trap" materials. Be sure to check packaging thoroughly before discarding.

White Box

Most controls will ship with a smaller white cardboard box. This is a good starting point as it may contain manuals, cables, and more that would make for a good starting point.

Keys

Some controls use keys to turn on the computer. 2 keys are included and are usually located in the white box. Keep one key as a spare, and take to locksmith to make additional copies if needed. More information on key replacement can be found at:
https://support.machmotion.com/books/knowledge-base/page/control-onoff-key-switch

Backups

A USB drive may be included in the white box. We recommend using this for doing backups. If not included, just about any USB drive can be used. Copy the entire c:\Mach4\ folder to the USB drive after setup is complete and anytime configuration changes are made after that. If the hard-drive ever needs replacing, this backup will save you lots of time and money so be sure to keep it in a safe and known location.

Configuration Changes

Settings in the Mach software are saved each time you exit the software. When doing initial setup, it is good practice to exit the software every so often as it creates a backup file of the settings from that point. This way if you make a change and things are not right and can't figure out what was changed incorrectly, you can go back to previous point without having to start all over. Taking notes of what was changed since last exit can help you know where to pick back up as well.

Shutdown

Shutdown the Mach software and wait 3 seconds before shutting down windows or turning power off to the control. This gives the software time to save the settings to the backup file. Corrupted data can occur if machine is shut off while the Mach software is still open.

Test motion

Unless MachMotion is doing your install, "bench test" the motors. Hook everything up, but don't mount the motors to the machine. This way you can verify good motion and direction, especially important if there is a slave axis (i.e. - 2 motors for a gantry operating the same axis) to prevent "twisting" by motors working against each other.

Internet and Antivirus

While this is a Windows based computer, it should be considered as a dedicated control for the machine and not be used for surfing the web, checking email, etc. Internet access should be used so LAN access on company network and Remote Support can be done.

Many antivirus programs can cause problems with the machine performance. We are not able to provide a list of ones to use and due to the dynamic nature of such software it can always change at any update. While we understand the concern for wanting such software on the computer, it shouldn't be needed if being used as a machine control and for remote support. You can use it, but we are unable to guarantee or support the service.

3rd Party Programs/Applications (spotify, dropbox, etc)

Do not use 3rd part software such as spotify, dropbox, etc. Consider this computer as a control for the machine, not as a desktop computer. Performance can be impacted by use of such services.

Limit-Switches / Homing Switches

https://www.mcmaster.com/#large-object-limit-switches/=15329im

http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/switches/snap-action-limit-switches/1114207

https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/Sensors_-z-_Encoders/Limit_Switches

Post-Processor

Additional information on post-processors for generating g-code from CAM software is located at:
https://support.machmotion.com/books/knowledge-base/page/post-processors-for-cam-software