Tiny Controls · Own design
CNC Mach3 Control Box
Assembled three-axis stepper control box for use with Mach3 CNC software on a PC.
Overview
A three-axis stepper control box built to run with Mach3, the PC-based CNC control software.
In this arrangement the PC does the work: Mach3 reads the G-code and generates the step and direction pulses, and the box contains the drives and power supply that turn those pulses into motor movement. It arrives assembled and wired, so the panel building is already done.
That also defines its limitation, which is worth knowing before choosing it. The PC must stay connected and running for the machine to move, and the pulse timing depends on the PC — which is why parallel port support and PC choice matter so much in Mach3 builds. If you would rather the machine ran on its own, the TNC-M13 and TNC-M14 boxes use standalone controllers that execute G-code themselves and need no PC once the file is loaded.
This box is configured to order, so it is quoted rather than priced.
Assembled by Tiny Controls in India.
Specifications
| Axes | 3 |
|---|---|
| Control software | Mach3 PC-based |
| Supplied as | Assembled and wired enclosure |
Questions
Do I need a PC to run it?
Yes. Mach3 runs on the PC and generates the step pulses, so the PC must stay connected while the machine is running. The TNC-M13 and TNC-M14 boxes avoid that with standalone controllers.
Is Mach3 licensing included?
Not stated in our record. Mach3 is licensed separately by its publisher — please confirm with us what is supplied.
What is inside the box?
The drive model, supply rating and interface are not listed in our record. Ask us for the current build specification before ordering.
How does it connect to the PC?
Not stated in our record. Mach3 systems typically use a parallel port or a motion controller board — worth confirming, since most modern PCs have no parallel port.