Keeping with our home hobbyist roots, the minimum software requirements to run Mach are very reasonable. Any current version of Mach will be free to update for the duration of its development. In the past 4 years, Artsoft has freely updated all previous versions of Mach for its customers. It is optional, but gives one the ability to do more advanced importation of objects.
However, there is an optional PRO level upgrade that turns on advanced features such as object offsetting, pocketing, primary foam functions, importation of DXF profiles for conversion to Lathe turning code, etc. The free edition of Laz圜am that is included with Mach3 carries no cost. It’s purpose is to import standard dxf, cmx, and other file types to allow those that do not use CAM programs to more easily generate Gcode to be run under Mach3. Laz圜am is a free importer included with Mach3. Also available, for a fee, are the Mach3 Addons for Mill – a handy collection of wizards designed to minimize the time it takes to go from “start to part”.
