Novakon NM-200 upgrade from mach3

[BldrJ]

My XP machines are getting flakey and I've noticed some unpredictable behaviour with Mach3. I've really just started learning it so I'm not tied to it.
I design a lot in Fusion, but like to use my mill (and lathe) with the wizards and conversational programming.
I have a few spare PCs, and one UC300ETH board (not tied to using it).
I've seen a few upgrades to Pathpilot. What I'm looking for is whether I should look at LinuxCNC or Pathpilot and what alternatives there may be to the Mesa cards being as I may get hit with 25% tariffs (and shipping, and duty). Buying more than one might make it worth it though.
I saw a PicoBOB (expatria) and some other parallel port adapters that looked like they might work with the BOB in the Mill (and lathe) (they're c11 cnc4pc I think).
I'm not keen on learning all the settings and struggles, would prefer to get it up and running, then learn if need be for adding probing, axis, upgrades to servos, etc.

I'm looking for suggestions from experience please!

 

[David]

If your XP machines are getting flakey it could be two things
1) Mach 3 is old technology now.
2) sticking with a parallel port is going to limit you.

I'd look at the FlexiHAL board from Expatria. grblHAL is quite advanced now. I'd also give FluidNC a good look.

 

[BldrJ]

If your XP machines are getting flakey it could be two things
1) Mach 3 is old technology now.
2) sticking with a parallel port is going to limit you.

I'd look at the FlexiHAL board from Expatria. grblHAL is quite advanced now. I'd also give FluidNC a good look.

Agree with 1 & 2. Ready to move on. I'm looking for something that still has "wizards" or the capability to do conversational programming since I'm not always running something from a model on fusion.
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[BldrJ]

Agree with 1 & 2. Ready to move on. I'm looking for something that still has "wizards" or the capability to do conversational programming since I'm not always running something from a model on fusion.
Thanks for the suggestions!

From what I’ve read in the threads, it looks like Pathpilot is the route for me, providing it won’t be too difficult to set up with my mill.

 

[gerritv]

Buy a 7i92T, set your PathPilot machine to be a 1100-3 and modify 1 file with your limits, lead screw pitch and possibly homing direction.
Buy the PathPilot USB stick from Tormach at US$29.95.

Always avoid parallel port with LinuxCNC, and have only 1 ethernet port in your PC. Use wifi for network access.

Use a US Address in Niagara Falls, NY to save on shipping costs. I used to use CBI,

gerrit

 

[BldrJ]

Buy a 7i92T, set your PathPilot machine to be a 1100-3 and modify 1 file with your limits, lead screw pitch and possibly homing direction.
Buy the PathPilot USB stick from Tormach at US$29.95.

Always avoid parallel port with LinuxCNC, and have only 1 ethernet port in your PC. Use wifi for network access.

Use a US Address in Niagara Falls, NY to save on shipping costs. I used to use CBI,

gerrit

Thanks! I'll go that route. Can get most Tormach stuff from Studica (Mississauga).

 

[gerritv]

they won't sell you a usb stick with pathpilot unless you have a serial number. Argued with them but in the end bought it direct from Tormach.

 

[Mike R]

I bought the stick from Studica, no Tormach SN required (at least I don't remember providing it).