Mach Software Page
The software program Mach is developed by Artsoft, a division of New Fangled Solutions. We do not sell Mach licenses, but some of our distributors do. The intent of this page is to help you quickly find your way to the Artsoft website so you can download Mach for yourself.
Mach software is the interface between the CAM data on your PC and the Ethernet SmoothStepper (ESS) or USB SmoothStepper (USS), which controls your hardware. In addition to the Mach software, you will need to install the appropriate ESS or USS plugin.
If you can't get Mach to communicate with the ESS, close Mach, right click on the Mach icon and select “Run as Administrator”. Mach should then be able to communicate with the ESS again.
Visit the Mach3 / Mach4 / Artsoft / Newfangled Solutions web site
Which version of Mach software are you looking for?
Our utilities and plugins are on the Current Software page.
Mach3 Software
Here is a video showing How to Install Mach3 and the ESS Plugin.
Please INSTALL MACH TO ITS DEFAULT LOCATION!
Mach3 is considered to be mature software and it works great.
We strongly recommended (May 16th, 2018) that you use Mach3 version 3.043.062 Installer with Windows 10 Fix (click to download). The .062 release is the lock down version that works well, fixing stability issues experienced by people running version .066.
The latest release was Mach3 version 3.043.066. However, a number of people have had stability issues with their systems when using version .066. The .066 version has had these issues for some users:
- MPG issues (we have seen this many times)
- Pendent issues (we have seen this many times)
- Feed hold issues
- Homing issues
- Macros not being fully run
- VB buttons being ignored
If you are using v.066, we will tell you to install v.062 as the first step before we do anything else in term of support.
Mach3 version 3.043.062 Installer with Windows 10 Fix (click to download). <<<< Recommended version for all versions of Windows!!!!
Mach3 version 3.043.062 Installer (click to download). <- This was the original version and it does NOT have the fix for Windows 10. It will run fine on Windows XP through Window 8.
Here is Artsoft's Mach3 FTP download site, <- These versions DO NOT have the fix for Windows 10. They will run on Windows XP through Window 8.
You do not need to install the parallel port driver of Mach3. The SmoothStepper does not use or need the parallel port drivers.
After Mach3 is installed, you will also need to install the following:
- If using the USB SmoothStepper (USS) : The Windows USS driver and the Mach3 plugin for the USS
- If using the Ethernet SmoothStepper (ESS) :
1) Use the System Configuration Utility for ESS (Ethernet SmoothStepper). It will easily configure your computer to talk with the ESS.
2) The Mach3 plugin for the ESS.
Mach4 Software
Mach4 is the newest version of Mach software. It is stable, but new features are still being added to its core functionality.
To install Mach4 and our ESS Plugin, please follow our Getting Started guide here. We discuss the release versions of Mach4 there.
Please INSTALL MACH4 TO ITS DEFAULT LOCATION! "C:\Mach4Hobby\"
In Mach4 the Parallel Port driver (Darwin) is a plugin, just like the SmoothStepper plugin. The SmoothStepper does not require (and will not use) a Parallel Port driver in order to function.
Version 2 of Mach4 requires a new license key (save your old version 1 key just in case). You need to contact MachSupport -OR- the people you purchased Mach4 from to generate a new key.
* The USB SmoothStepper (USS) does not currently support Mach4. Please read here for more details.