Computer manufacturers have eliminated parallel ports, so you need external motion devices to extend pins from your computer’s USB or ethernet.In this method, you have to buy an external motion device or a breakout board (BOB) for the following two reasons: Mach3 (Mach4) and LinuxCNC use your computer’s motherboard and its parallel port to access it. Arduino boards have many pins for different control tasks. Source: RedditĪll Arduino CNC controllers like GRBL have the same arrangement as industrial controllers: they use a microcontroller, which is like a mini-computer. Hardware Differences: GRBL vs Mach (Arduino vs Parallel Port) The Boards Arduino CNC. Without further ado, let’s compare the two CNC control methods. Those articles help you to flash Arduino boards with free firmware so that you can build two different controllers: a GRBL and a G2Core controller. However, if your worries are that you don’t know how to build an Arduino-based controller, we have prepared a complete tutorial for you in other articles. For example, Mach is better for you if you don’t know how to build a G2Core controller and want to control a CNC with a rotary axis. But, your choice depends on your personal preference. Personally, I highly prefer Arduino controllers over computer-as-controller systems. We will thoroughly compare these two methods from their hardware to software differences. Wireless Mouse: Which Is Better?Īrduino-based controllers use firmware such as GRBL inside a dedicated CNC controller, whereas Mach3 (or Mach4) or LinuxCNC are control software for computers.

Mach3 parallel port pinout