Mach4-Hobby CNC machine Controller Software License***

You will be purchasing one (1) license to unlock the full version of the Mach4-Hobby software.

Please download the full version of the Mach4-Hobby software and give it a try before buying a license. We are sure you will find it useful and a great value. Come back and purchase a license for the software, once you are satisfied it will work for your needs. The license code will unlock features, limits, or time restrictions. Please don’t buy a license until you have tried the software and are 100% satisfied.

Mach4 Hobby – A full featured software version to be marketed toward those interested in using CNC machinery for their own personal /non-business use. End-user support is limited to e-mail and online forums. Add-ons, expandability, and updates will be available. This version is the direct replacement for Mach3.

Mach4 Hobby has been released. Check the availability of a motion control plugin for your device before buying.

Currently, motion control is available using our Parallel Port plugin (legacy license required),Vital Systems, PMDX, CNC4PC, and CS Lab (US distributor) have great motion control boards with plugins for Mach4 available from the associated links.

Mach4 Information: Mach4 is our newest version of CNC motion control software. While the core software is completed, it will take time to complete all of the software plug-ins that allow Mach4 to communicate with specific hardware devices. OEM’s and equipment manufacturers that have committed resources to developing their software plug-ins, will be the first to take advantage of Mach4’s benefits. Much of the development of the plug-ins is completed by the manufacturer of the hardware.

For this reason, Mach3 will continue to be sold for a year or more, while the number of compatible hardware devices is expanded through plug-in development.

Mach4 is completely new software and has less than 1% of the programming code in common with Mach3. It was written from the ground up to be expandable, flexible, and extremely responsive for use with very large files on any operating system; including Windows, Apple, and Linux. While there was only one version of Mach3, Mach4 will be offered in different versions (not including the many customized OEM versions).

Licensing

The plugins you may need to upgrade a system may not be available and may require the purchase of new hardware. Hardware plugins (drivers) are created and supplied by the hardware manufacturer. Mach3 drivers and code are Not compatible with Mach4.

Licensing Instructions

Install the Demo on the Actual Machine it will be used
Run the demo and go to the Help/about screen in Mach4
Use the PC ID code from the Help/About screen at checkout to license this single computer

The license is linked to a specific PC, requiring a different code for each PC. Use the ‘About’ screen, accessed by the ‘Help’ menu to get the PC code. You must have this exact PC code from the actual PC you wish to license and generate G-code. To obtain your license key, Click the ‘copy ID to Clipboard’ button in the ‘about’ dialog box when running the software in demo mode and paste this ID number in the appropriate location on the website when purchasing your license.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The LICENSE will only work for the Computer for which you supplied the PC ID. Each PC has a unique ID code and the license works in coordination with this code.

If you upgrade or exchange your PC, it will be necessary to contact licensing for a replacement.

Software Requirements

Mach4 Recommended Requirements:

PREFERRED: 32 or 64-bit Laptop or Desktop – Using an External Motion Controller

Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
An appropriate external motion controller
Mach4 Plugin for the selected Motion Controller
2Ghz CPU
1GB RAM
Video Card with 256MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

*Use of Parallel Port for machine control only with desktop style computers with 32-bit versions of windows 7 and below.

32-bit Desktop – Parallel Port Recommended Requirements

32-bit version of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Mach4 Parallel Port Legacy Plugin (cost applicable)
2Ghz CPU
1GB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 256MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)

Modular Design

Mach4’s modular design allows features to be added and removed without affecting the systems operation. This aspect greatly enhances the flexibility for different applications, machines and uses.

- Different modules of the core can be removed, added, or created to create a custom software package for OEM’s, re-sellers, and educational organizations.

- Everything is customizable, Make the software your Own

Create Proprietary add-ons for your version
Custom Installers
Rapid Application Development (RAD) with our Screen Design Mode
Increase or decrease functionality with Plug Ins and Add-ons
Customizable M Codes for Machine Specific Functions

- No fixed amount of IO

IO registered to system without any software interference between devices.

Mach4 Motion

Mach4 can control CNC machinery, PLC equipment, and robotics. The core is a full featured ‘brain’ that ensures all input and output devices are coordinated with motion.

- All Motion control calculated in the core = less dependence on hardware and associated software driver.

- Motion Device Drivers (Plug Ins) have standard format = common level of functionality between components, less complexity, easier and less costly to troubleshoot and support.

Motion Control at the Core:

All motion control calculations are completed in the core. Mach4’s core adapts to the speed (frequency) of the motion controllers attached. Mach3 software relied on the hardware plug-in software and complex buffering schemes to ensure accuracy and coordinated motion. This redesign has several advantages:

- Up to 100x faster response from button click to machine action.

Machine hold or speed changes happen as quickly as GUI buttons are selected on the screen.
- Improved Backlash Control & more accurate screw mapping = less jitter and more accurate cuts

Higher quality manual pulse generator (MPG) = very smooth jogging and positioning without lag time.

Some New Features

– Type C (Fanuc) cutter compensation standard in Mach4.

More accurate tool path compensation for different size tools
Improved Anti-gouging

– Synchronous Motion of up to 6 completely separate coordinate systems (instances) at the same time.

Multiple heads, machines and processes to produce complex parts.

– Asynchronous Motion (out of band axis) to control uncoordinated motion.