Documentation - Artsoft
This contains the documentation of Artsoft Products
Mach4 CNC Controller Lua Scripting Guide - Artsoft
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1.1 Before You Begin 1.2 What is Mach4? 1.3 What is a Mach4 Scri...
1 Introduction
Introduction The purpose of this manual is to teach the basics of scripting in Mach4 using the L...
2 Script Editor
Script Editor Mach4 includes a built in script editor. The editor can be found in the ‘Operator...
3 Types of Scripts
Types of Scripts Scripts are divided into 4 types: M codes, screen, panel and modules. This cha...
4 Registers
Registers Registers are a very powerful tool in Mach4. They are completely user definable and c...
5 Examples
Examples The following examples are to provide some guidance on the creation of scripts. They a...
6 Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting Memory Mapped File Error: If you’re getting this error, check the file that s...
FAQs
FAQ from DeskPro
Mach4 How do you open the PLC script?
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 How do you configure Plasma?
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
How to wire Charge Pump Safety
TWO ONE-SHOT CIRCUITS Figure 1 does not require a power supply except for the relay coil. Sho...
How to Install PCI LPT Port Controller Drivers
PCI LPT port controller drivers Go to device manager Select PCI simple communications contr...
How do you Import your License? Flowchart
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
How do you Download your License? Flowchart
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 Why Aren't my Motors Moving? Flowchart
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 Where is the Download for TurnWizard?
Where can I find the download for the Turn Wizard?Imported User 6 - 2019-04-29 The NFS Turn Wiz...
MillWizard Why is the Tool Path Grayed out?
Mill Wizard tool path is grayed out? The PC requirements for the Mill Wizard are as follows: La...
Mach3 No Driver Sensed Installed Run Driver Test
No driver sensed installed Run Driver Test That message usually occurs when you are trying to us...
How to fix Win7 Parallel Port Crash
A recent Windows 7 security update has affected those who use Mach3 and Mach4 with aparallel port...
Mach3 Common licensing issues
Common reasons Mach3 license will not license software. - The Mach3 license must be named Mach...
How to Access the License Maintenance Section of the Website?
Accessing the license maintenance section of the website.When you purchased from our website you ...
Mach4 Why did my PCID Change?
Mach4, its plugins (Galil, Darwin, Moduleworks, etc.), and MillWizard use a PC ID torecognize you...
Mach4 "Vertex Buffer Objects requested but not available"
If you are running Mach4 on an XP OS and you recieve the "Vertex Buffer Objects requestedbut not ...
Mach4 How do I set up Counts per Unit?
In order to set the counts per unit, velocity, and acceleration for each axis you must selectyour...
Mach4 How do I update Mach?
Steps to update Mach4. - Copy the existing version of Mach4 and rename it something else. Our ...
I Purchased a CNC Machine from Overseas
As the popularity of CNC machining has steadily increased the market has been suppliedmany deskto...
Mach4 How to Modify the "Go to Work Zero" button
Modifying the Go to work Zero button in Mach4 to raise Zbefore moving. Similar to Safe Z move in ...
Mach4 Setting up a Rotary 4th Axis
Setting up Mach4 for rotary (4th) axis.Mach4 Rotational Axis (non lathe)1. Users will choose an A...
Mach4 I have extra circular movements in my tool path that are not in my GCode
I have extra circular movements in my tool path that are not in my GCode Mach4.If you load a G Co...
Can I run on Windows 10/11
Yes, both Mach3 and Mach4 will work on Win10. You cannot, however, use the parallel portwith Wind...
What is a good book to learn G-Code?
“CNC Programming Handbook 3rd Edition” by Peter Smid. You can also refer to the G CodeProgrammin...
What is a Macro, M-Code?
A macro or m-code is a small program that has been written as an easy way to perform afunction (o...
Mach3 What is an XML?
It is a Mach3 configuration file. Every Mach3 profile stores its settings in an XML file locatedi...
Mach4 What is an INI?
It is a Mach4 configuration file. Every Mach4 profile stores its settings in a Machine.ini filelo...
What is a Profile?
A profile is a configuration file which is used to store the various settings for a machine. AMac...
What is a Screen Set?
A screen set is the file (and associated graphics) that makes up the GUI (graphical userinterface...
Mach3 What files should I backup?
At a minimum, any license files and profile XMLs (as well as any custom macros, screensets, or br...
What else can the computer running the machine be used for?
CNC controls require critical timing. When a computer has been chosen to be used as amachine cont...
What is G-Code?
Used mainly in automation, G-code is the common name for the most widely usednumerical control (N...
What is CAM?
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is a subsequent process after CAD. The CAD files areloaded int...
What is an external Motion device or Motion Controller?
Originally, Mach-series software only worked with the parallel port (via the parallel portdriver)...
Do you sell Hardware?
We do not sell any hardware or packages for Mach3 or Mach4. Motion devices and other complex ha...
I am thinking of purchasing a machine from overseas
Mach3 and Mach4 are sold by us as DIY (do it yourself) CNC control. Most of our OEM’s anddistribu...
What is a Plugin?
A plugin (sometimes referred to as a driver) allows people to add customfunctionality to Mach3/Ma...
Will a USB to Parallel converter work?
No, standard USB-to-parallel port adapters will not work. Controlling a machine withMach3/Mach4 u...
What is a Breakout board (B.O.B)?
A breakout board is a piece of hardware used to interface between the PC (or externalmotion devic...
How do I Cut my Drawings? Will I be able to load it directly into Mach?
How do I cut my drawings? Can I load it directly into MachTransforming an idea into an actual par...
What is CAD?
What is CAD?Computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided drafting (CAD), or computer-aided designa...
What is a Coordinate System?
What is a coordinate system?A CNC machine is controlled by commanding movements and tracking the ...
Mach3 What is Driver Test?
What is the driver test?Running a Driver Test is only applicable when using Mach3 with the parall...
Where do I get older versions of the software?
Where do i get older versions of the software?Normally, the current version of our software locat...
Where do I go for Support?
Where do I go for support?In general, we expect the users of Mach3/Mach4 to be familiar with thei...
Licensing Policy
Licensing Policy License Maintenance and Restrictions. Who can use license maintenance?This pag...
Authorized Artsoft Resellers and Distributors
The link below will take you to our Licensesed Artsoft Resellers tab on our Partnerswebpage. It w...
What is the Right Hand Rule?
What is right hand rule? The Right Hand Rule is a quick way to determine the correct positive or...
Mach3 I received a copy of Mach with a CNC Order or from an Auction Site
Mach3 has been a huge sucess though out the entire world. Unfortunately, it has beencracked or pi...
How do I determine my Steps Per Unit?
The steps per is a calculation that takes into consideration all the components that you usefor...
Where do my Wires Go?
This is something that is beyond the scope of the software and not a question we cananswer. Whoev...
What Hardware is Needed to convert a Machine?
This depends largely on the type of signal the axis drives will accept (step & direction vs.analo...
What should the Steps Per Unit be?
The Steps PerUnit is a calculated value of how many step pulses are required to move theaxis one ...
What is the difference between Home Switches, Limit Switches, and Soft Limits?
All coordinates on a CNC machine are based on it's "home" location, which is the origin of the ...
Why does the machine not move in the correct distance?
The most likely causes are: The Steps Per Unit value for the axis is incorrect. (see related a...
What do my settings need to be?
Mach3 and Mach4 need to be configured to match the way your machine is physically wiredand tuned ...
Where do I start? Are there steps?
Yes! For anybody just beginning with CNC, the following steps are absolutelyessential. Even pros ...
How do I make Auto Touch Off Work?
There are many ways to implement this feature. Most are done by simply wiring a plate withone non...
What do I Need to do to Enable Automatic Tool Changes?
The default setting in Mach3 is to ignore tool changes. In Mach4, using a tool change macro(M6) b...
What Knowledge is Required to Build or Retrofit a Machine?
It should be noted that any attempt to build or retrofit a machine in a DIY manneris just that – ...
Mach3 What Operating Systems will Mach3 Run On?
Mach3 will run on any Windows OS from Windows 2000 through Windows 11. The parallelport driver in...
Frequent Licensing Issues
Mach4:Incorrect PCID: This is caused by, you guessed it, an incorrect PCID when attempting tolice...
Mach4
Mach4 Mill Programming Guide
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Lathe Tool Direction
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Mill Operations Guide
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Lua Scripting Guide
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Tangential Screen Overview
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Tool Offsets - Lathe
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Tool Offsets - Mill
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Touch Module Help - Touch Off
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach4 Plasma Configuration
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3
Mach3 Plugin Development Tutorial
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 TOOL TOUCH OFF VIA PROBING
The tool can’t stop instantaneously on contact when probing. The tool will travel some distance i...
Mach3 PWM Spindle Control
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 The Write Wizard
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 Threading on the Lathe Turn
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 User Guide for Brains
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 Using ModBus
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 Wizard List
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 Addons for Mill
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 G100 Setup Guide
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach3 A Guide to Coordinate Spaces
Documentation is attached. Look to the upper left for your attachments.
Mach2
This is just a placeholder for Mach2 documentation. Mach2 is no longer supported, developed, or d...