<p>Well, few years ago I could set the software Mach3 for printing doing the next:</p>

<ol>
<li><strong>Set a profile for 3D printing</strong> for the faster movements that your CNC can support; for example some CNC uses standard threads, others ACME threads and other GT2 belts like the 3D printers. If we try to use a feed rate too high the motors will shake. For this profile is not needed the torque for machining or routing, so we will sacrifice force to gain speed.</li>
<li><strong>Create the proper gcode</strong>. Mostly Gcode maker generate the code to send pulses to Extruder E but Mach3 takes as invalid E instructions, so the extruder will never move. To avoid this there are 2 modes:</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>a)</strong> Find and replace all E instruction with A to enable Motor A or</p>

<p><strong>b)</strong> Create the Gcode with an interpreter to output A instead E
    like Slicer 0.71 as you can see in the image below. I haven't tried with other software</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/I2S8h.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/I2S8h.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>3.<strong>For controlling the extruder temperature</strong> is possible with any other controller like REX-C100/C400 any PIC or Arduino. The accuracy will depend on your design.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-14T07:46:52.917Z
2018-02-14T07:46:52.917Z
Fernando Baltazar
<p>I was wondering if is possible to send printing using the software MACH3 for CNC since this software can handle up to 3 axes: X,Y,Z,A,B and C.
Of course the CNC needs an extra control for temperature which I already have it; My CNC handle a Z axis with 150mm height, so I could print higher parts than normal CNC.</p>

<printer-building><cnc>
is possible to send printing with mach3?
Fernando Baltazar
# is possible to send printing with mach3?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-10)

I was wondering if is possible to send printing using the software MACH3 for CNC since this software can handle up to 3 axes: X,Y,Z,A,B and C.
Of course the CNC needs an extra control for temperature which I already have it; My CNC handle a Z axis with 150mm height, so I could print higher parts than normal CNC.

**Tags:** printer-building, cnc


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2018-02-14. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Well, few years ago I could set the software Mach3 for printing doing the next:

1. **Set a profile for 3D printing** for the faster movements that your CNC can support; for example some CNC uses standard threads, others ACME threads and other GT2 belts like the 3D printers. If we try to use a feed rate too high the motors will shake. For this profile is not needed the torque for machining or routing, so we will sacrifice force to gain speed.
2. **Create the proper gcode**. Mostly Gcode maker generate the code to send pulses to Extruder E but Mach3 takes as invalid E instructions, so the extruder will never move. To avoid this there are 2 modes:

**a)** Find and replace all E instruction with A to enable Motor A or

**b)** Create the Gcode with an interpreter to output A instead E
like Slicer 0.71 as you can see in the image below. I haven't tried with other software

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/I2S8h.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/I2S8h.jpg)

3.**For controlling the extruder temperature** is possible with any other controller like REX-C100/C400 any PIC or Arduino. The accuracy will depend on your design.


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