MACH CNC CONTROL SOFTWARE MAIN FEATURES AND VERSION DIFFERENCES Standard Version Features Number of Planners Number of Axis Out of Band Axis (OBA) Slave axis (uses up coordinated axes) Slave motors (does not use up coordinated axes) API Interface - Open to All Hardware Extended Plugin Support User customizable GUI Unified (GUI) Interface - PLC, CNC, etc.. Unlimited IO Modbus PLC PMC (Ladder Logic addressing for cnc/plc) Unlimited File Size Tool Path Display Tool Path Speed & Quality Scripting - Customization LUA Scripting - simple, fast, cross-platform - Lua sockets (ftp, http, smtp,..) - SSL (security layer) - LFS (manage large files and data storage) - Seriel port - Enraving of part numbers / serial numbering of parts - Plugin panel objects IPC Library for Data Sharing/tracking (Interprocess communication) Full Feature Screens/Controls Per Machine Type Currently Availabe: Mill, Router, Lathe, 3d Printer Multiple gcode interpreters (Per Machine Type) Probing - Intergrated in standard screens Simulated 3d Machining (with additional plugin license) Tool Life Management (G10 L3 command) Screw Mapping Professional Screen Designer (advanced G.U.I.) - Screen Animation Control - Screen Integrated Tool Table Control - Screen Integrated Work Offset Control - Screen Integrated gcode editor - Screen Artsoft Wizard Package Integration Macro B gcode Programming (#variables) - User definable gcodes via marco calls - Macro Calls: G65, G66, G66.1 - gcode via marco call (custom G codes via macro B) - mcode via macro call (custom M codes via macro B) - mcode via sub code (custom M code via sup program) - Conditional gcodes - set VN call - define variable names gcode Editor Included Scripted M code (custom M code via LUA script) Variable Speed Spindle Spindle Relay Coolant relay Mist Relay Threading Rigid Tapping Single Block Block Delete Optional Stop Cutter Comp Fanuc Type C Cutter Comp Fixture Offsets G51 Scaling G92 Offsets
Mach3 1 6 0
3 N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes Low Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mach4 Hobby 1 6 1
N/A 4 per Axis Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes High Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mach4 Industrial 1 6 6
N/A 4 per Axis Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes High Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
MACH CNC CONTROL SOFTWARE MAIN FEATURES AND VERSION DIFFERENCES Standard Version Features G52 Offsets Event Driven Multi Line MDI Subs In MDI OpenGL Optimization Multi-platform OS Compatibility Option
Mach3
Mach4 Hobby
Mach4 Industrial
Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Online Support Phone Support Option Available Support Priority
Yes
Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Available to End Users as "Do-it-yourself"
Yes
Yes
Summary - Mach3 versus Mach4 : Mach4 Hobby is the closest comparable version to Mach3, yet it is still much more advanced. The price point of these versions is nearly identical. Mach3 is very popular for hobby enthusiest and is used in highly modified form by some great OEM's. In general, Mach4 is more complex than Mach3 and follows cnc industry standards. Mach3 has many customizations to make it easier for hobby users, but can lead to difficulties if users plan to apply their knowledge to more advanced systems. Mach4 is built as a full featured cnc controller capable of high speed machining for servo and stepper systems. Mach3's feature set is complete, while Mach4's will continue to expand. If you are new to cnc, Artsoft highly recommends using and learning Mach4 even if it appears that Mach3's feature set will be adequate for your needs.
