# Mach 3 and G540

**URL:** <https://community.inventables.com/t/mach-3-and-g540/37925>\
**Category:** Upgrades\
**Created:** [May 18, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach-3-and-g540/37925 "2017-05-18T13:43:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![WilliamARieselbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e68b1a/32.png) [@WilliamARieselbach](https://community.inventables.com/u/WilliamARieselbach)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach-3-and-g540/37925/1 "2017-05-18T13:43:15Z")

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Hi Everyone,

I’m looking at the possibility of moving to Mach 3 and the G540. But I’m finding it difficult to find truly useful information (other than someone who’s so opinionated that we have no right to use the combo with an X-Carve :D). What I’m thinking is that, at it’s minimalist core, all I need to do this is a computer with a parallel port (have several lying around with versions of XP, Vista, and 7 installed and running), a power supply (48v), a G540, a few resistors, and some cabling with DB9 connectors on one end, and a fan or two. Am I correct?

Yes, one can easily move beyond the very minimalist config above, but my question is is that all that’s truly necessary? And then assuming the 140 oz/in nema 23’s (from Inventables), what resistors are needed (that’s where my brain truly stops working)?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Will

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**Author:** ![anon68752607](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@anon68752607](https://community.inventables.com/u/anon68752607)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach-3-and-g540/37925/2 "2017-05-18T13:52:53Z")

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Idk what that guy was talking about.

Once you go Gecko, you never go backo

> **[Shapeoko upgrade (10) – Gecko G540 / Mach3](https://www.manmademayhem.com/?p=2313)**
>
> I actually almost forgot to write a little something about maybe one of the more substantial yet invisible upgrades: I ditched the whole Arduino/Gshield setup and bought a real CNC controller: the …

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**Author:** ![StephenCook](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/stephencook/32/73911_2.png) [@StephenCook](https://community.inventables.com/u/StephenCook)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/mach-3-and-g540/37925/4 "2017-05-18T18:42:05Z")

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wow nice article.  
I too want to move to Mach3 but thats cause I want to be able to use a tool for creating a map of the surface so I can carve on any uneven or even curved surface.  
Thanks for sharing