In this guide, I’ll compare the strengths and limitations of my hands-on experience with the two CNC control methods so you can decide which is right for you.
(Don’t worry – if you don’t know how to build an Arduino-based controller, we have prepared a complete tutorial for you in other articles). However, you may decide Mach is better for you if want to control a CNC with a rotary axis, or simply don’t know how to build a G2Core controller. Personally, I prefer GRBL Arduino controllers over computer-as-controller Mach 3 systems, because GRBL is easier and more beginner-friendly.
If you don’t want to buy industrial controllers, you have two choices: you can either turn an Arduino board into a CNC controller or turn a computer into a CNC controller.Īrduino-based controllers use firmware such as GRBL inside a dedicated CNC controller, whereas Mach3 (or Mach4) or LinuxCNC are control software for computers.īut when it comes to GRBL vs Mach3, which is best? The controller is one of the essential parts of any CNC, laser, or 3D printer.
