Order Page
- Ordering
- SmoothSteppers
- Torch Height Controllers
- Software
- USB Cables
- Ethernet Cables
- Ribbon Cables
- Gender Changer
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive. Cable and connector colors may vary. The ribbon cables may or may not come with PC mounting plates on the parallel port connectors. Lengths may vary slightly.
Ordering
Ordering at this time is done through e-mail and PayPal. In the future we will transition to an online store.
To place an order, please send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and provide the following information:
- your email address (for PayPal invoice)
- quantity and type of SmoothStepper you wish to purchase
- quantity and type of cable you wish to purchase
- your name
- company name (optional)
- complete shipping address
- phone number for shipping label.
We will create a PayPal invoice for you.
The wait-time is about 2 days.
SmoothSteppers
To learn more about the specific details of our two SmoothSteppers, please visit our Products page. To learn how to use and set up the SmoothSteppers, please visit our Getting Started page and also our Help page. We also offer discounts if you bundle an ESS with Mach4 in the software section below!
- $219.00: The Ethernet SmoothStepper (item number: B-ESS), which is our flagship product and runs in Mach4 and Mach3 (although we strongly recommend Mach4). We also offer a discounted bundle where you can save some cash by buying the ESS and Mach4 together (available in the software section below).
- $219.00: The USB SmoothStepper (item number: B-USS). Please note that the USS ONLY runs with Mach3 (it does not run with Mach4). The USS does NOT support THC, since USB is not industrial enough to support plasma, and that the Ethernet SmoothStepper (above) should be used instead. The Ethernet SmoothStepper is more powerful and has more flexibility than the USB SmoothStepper and is the recommended choice.
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive.
Torch Height Controllers
$499: The WarpRunner (item number: B-WR) is an improved torch height controler for plasma cutting. The WarpRunner requires an ESS, which is sold separately, above. (The WarpRunner will not work with a USS.) The WarpRunner plugs into the ESS's Expansion Port and Port 3, providing the following features:
- The WarpRunner uses the core technology from the TMC3in1, and optimized the hardware around it for a better user experience.
- Power input (two pin) for 12V/24V. This will generate an isolated 5V supply to power the ESS.
- A terminal (eight pin) for your plasma unit's Torch On/Off signal (controlled by a relay on thee WarpRunner), Arc Okay isolated input signal, and Tip Voltage measurement from your plasma supply.
- It has two additional optio-isolated input signals, with indicator LEDs, making it easy to connect 12V/24V inputs like your EStop, probe, touch off circuit (isolated from the plasma supply) or X/Y/Z Home switches
- Eight non-isolated 5V outputs that come directly from the ESS's port 3, which may be used to control 4 motors.
Please click here for technical details and setup instructions.
Please use Mach4 and SheetCam, this combination unlocks all of the features of the WarpRunner, and will save you from so much frustration compared to Mach3.
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive.
$499: The TMC3in1 Board Set (item number: B-TMC3in1) - has been replaced with the WarpRunner which is essentially functionally identical to the TMC3in1.
The TMC3in1 provides torch height control for plasma cutting and requires an ESS which is sold separately above. (This will not work with a USS.) The TMC3in1 plugs into the ESS Expansion Port and Port 3 and provides the following screw terminal connections:
- Power input (two pin) for 12V/24V. This will generate an isolated 5V supply to power the ESS.
- A terminal (eight pin) for your plasma unit's Torch Relay, Arc Okay and Tip Volts.
- It has two additional optio-isolated input signals, great for your touch off and Z Home switch
- Eight non-isolated 5V outputs that come directly from the ESS's port 3.
Please click here for technical details and setup instructions.
Please use Mach4 and SheetCam, this combination unlocks all of the features of the TMC3in1, and will save you from so much frustration compared to Mach3.
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive.
Software
We sell licenses for Mach4 and Mach3. While we do sell Mach3, and provide plugins and instructions on how to set it up, we strongly recommend that you don't buy or use Mach3. Mach3 development ceased about 6 years ago with the release of Mach4.
Mach4 was written almost from scratch and is at least as capable as Mach3 and in many situations Mach4 is MORE capable than Mach3. Mach4 is faster and much more user friendly than Mach3, plus all new development and support is focused on Mach4. Finally, as you will notice, we will even sell Mach4 licenses cheaper than Mach3 licenses because Mach4 saves time compared to Mach3. Here is our Mach4 guide.
- Stand alone Mach4 license (item number: LIC-MACH4): $190.00 Ten dollars cheaper and Mach4 is better than Mach3!
- Stand alone Mach3 license (item number: LIC-MACH-THREE): $200.00
- BEST BUY!!! ESS with Mach4 Bundle (item number: BUNDLE-ESS-MACH4): $379.00 Save thirty dollars compared to buying the ESS and Mach4 separately, and save forty dollars compared to buying the ESS and Mach3 separately!
Minimum recommended PC requirements for running Mach4:
- A SSD (solid state drive) can make the PC boot up to 10x faster, help Mach4 load much quicker, and since it never spins up or down, it makes it much harder for the PC to freeze and cause a communications failure or empty buffer with the ESS. Upgrading from a mechanical hard drive to a SSD can be the single best (and most cost effective) upgrade you make to your PC. It is fairly easy to clone your existing hard drive to a SSD, search for that on YouTube.
- Windows 10 (preferred), Windows 8, or Windows 7 operating system.
- 64-bit Windows will allow for the use of more than 4 GB of RAM. 32 Bit Windows will only access up to 4 GB of RAM, with only about 3.5 GB usable for the operating system and applications.
- Ethernet port (or Ethernet adapter)
- 1Ghz CPU, dual core
- 8GB RAM (16GB recommended for Windows 10)
- Intel or AMD processor. (Atom-based netbooks are under-powered and may not keep up with the demands of CNC.)
- Minimum screen resolution, 1920 x 1080 (recommended)
After you pay for your purchase, we will send you an email with a PDF file. The PDF has your single use registration code, and the instructions on how to setup your account and download your license from MachSupport.com.
Ethernet Cables
You will need an Ethernet cable (cat5 or cat6) to connect your Ethernet SmoothStepper (ESS) to your computer.
We sell CAT6 Ethernet Cables for use with the Ethernet SmoothStepper or any other networking equipment. Ethernet allows you to use long cables (easily 100ft long) without signal integrity issues.
- $2.00: 3 foot, normally black (item number: C-Eth03)
- $3.00: 7 foot, normally green (item number: C-Eth07)
- $4.00: 10 foot (normally yellow) (item number: C-Eth10)
- $5.00: 15 foot (normally red) (item number: C-Eth15)
- $6.00: 25 foot, normally blue (item number: C-Eth25)
Ethernet Panel Mount Cable - This 12" long cable plugs into your ESS's RJ45 port, and then provides a panel mount connector to provide an easy to get to, female RJ45 jack. You can just plug your Ethernet cable from your PC into here. (This requires 2 screws, which are not included, to attach it to your panel.)
- $6.00: Ethernet Panel Mount Cable, 12 inch (item number: C-RJ45PM)
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive. Cable and connector colors may vary, although we try to keep the Ethernet cable colors consistent. Lengths may vary slightly.
USB Cables
You will need a USB cable to connect your USB SmoothStepper (USS) to your computer.
We carry a variety of lengths of USB cables. Try to use the shortest cable you can to connect your USB SmoothStepper to your computer. All USB cables are normally black (although this may vary).
- $3.00: 6 inch long (item number: C-USB6in)
- $3.00: 3 foot long (item number: C-USB03)
- $2.00: 6 foot long (item number: C-USB06B)
- $4.00: 10 foot long (item number: C-USB10)
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive. Cable and connector colors may vary, although we try to keep the USB cable colors consistent. Lengths may vary slightly.
Ribbon Cables
The USS (USB SmoothStepper) has 2 ports on it that can communicate as parallel ports.
The ESS (Ethernet SmoothStepper) has 3 ports on it that can communicate as parallel ports.
We sell ribbon cables that have a Low-Profile 26-pin female header connector on one end (this side plugs into the USS or ESS). The other end of the ribbon cable can be a female DB25 connector (like a computer’s parallel port), a Male DB25 or another LPH26pin connector. Which one you choose will depend on which motor driver or break out board (BOB) you are trying to connect to.
The 2x13 (26 pin headers) are 0.100" or 2.54mm pitch.
FEMALE LPH26-to-DB25 FEMALE ribbon cable. (This cable will NOT be able to carry 5V power to/from your BOB, since pin 26 is not present on the DB-25 end of the cable.)
- $3.00: 18 inch long (item number: C-P26DB25)
FEMALE LPH26-to-LPH26 FEMALE ribbon cable. (This cable is able to carry 5V power to/from your BOB, since pin 26 is present on both ends. You will need to jumper your ESS or USS appropriately if you wish to transmit 5V power.) Available in:
- $4.00: 4.5 inch long (item number: C-P26P26-S)
- $4.00: 10 inch long (item number: C-P26P26-R) (previous stock was 11")
- $5.00: 22 inch long (item number: C-P26P26-L) (not pictured)
FEMALE LPH26-to-DB25 MALE ribbon cable. (This cable will NOT be able to carry 5V power to/from your BOB, since pin 26 is not present on the DB-25 end of the cable.)
- $5.00: 13 inch long (item number: C-P26DB25M-R)
- $6.00: 24 inch long (item number: C-P26DB25M-L) (not pictured)
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive. Cable and connector colors may vary. The ribbon cables may or may not come with PC mounting plates on the parallel port connectors. Lengths may vary slightly.
Gender Changer
We also carry a gender changer if you need to change the DB25 end of the ribbon cable from female to male.
Male DB25-to-DB25 Male Gender Changer: This converts a cable with a female DB25 into a male DB25.
- $3.00: (item number: C-GX01 - DB25 Gender Changer)
Please note that images shown on this page may vary slightly from the product you receive. Cable and connector colors may vary. The ribbon cables may or may not come with PC mounting plates on the parallel port connectors. Lengths may vary slightly.