Masso G3 Touch - An in-depth Review

[@gg48gg]

Fantastic review with very useful detail. Your communication style, vocabulary, and organization is very easy to understand without dumbing things down. I also appreciate that you just seem like you're just telling us how it is with no bs or fluff. Thank you!

[@D3rron08]

Hands down the best review on the Masso controller, its so sweet but as you said the price is a major barrier for us hobbyists.

[@johnbubu8310]

Nice to see you back with more content😊

[@DarkArtGuitars]

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ: Just as I was hitting publish Masso sent out a newsletter email announcing some changes that make part of the video out of date already. 1) There no longer are 3, 4, and 5 axis versions, all Masso controllers have 5 axis enabled. Also any other premium software features that needed an upgrade before are included. 2) They announced a new beta version of the software that addresses some of my complaints. However, at this time the most current stable release is still the same as I showed to you. The features and fixes include: - Current Gcode line in the text preview should be in the middle of the window now instead of the bottom, allowing you to see the upcoming lines. The Gcode window should also no longer freeze during high speed operations. - The A and B (4th and 5th) axis can now be slaved to any other axis instead of being fixed to X and Y respectively. - The spacebar can now act as arrow keys when trying to navigate in a text field - There are also various new features, you can see them all here: www.masso.com.au/masso-g3-v5-100b-release-notes/

[@keemao1]

the Masso it a great controller, but as a lathe controller there are to many G codes that it cant run,

[@theunscraven2007]

You make very good points. Thanks for the good review

[@iforce2d]

I can understand the appeal of this for many people, but the high cost and low configurability is a no for me.

[@tat2joeelliott]

Low configurability??!! That thing can do anything.

[@kevinbaxter1571]

now you have had the masso for more than 6 months maybe you could do a updated review?

[@DarkArtGuitars]

It's been really stable, there have been some software updates too that address some of my issues, but I haven't updated mine yet. I'm planning on building a new cnc with it in summer, I'll have some more videos then. In general as long as it covers all the functions you need I really like it. It's just not super customizable, but very easy to set up and use in return.

[@IceCreams62]

Also there is not the possibility to make your own macros...you have to ask them to create one for you....crazy limitation

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Have you gone through that? Like did you ask them to create one and they did? Would be great to hear your experience if that's the case.

[@IceCreams62]

@@DarkArtGuitars I only asked them to the possibility to write my own macros and this is the answer: '''Not a stupid question and there is a reason you were unable to find anything in the documentation about macros, because MASSO doesn't use macros. We like to keep all the software "inhouse" so that we don't have to provide support for incorrectly written macros. What are you wanting to use the macro for? There maybe logic already in the software to do the function you want to write the macro for.'''

[@BGraves]

​@@IceCreams62wow that response is a deal breaker.

[@fieur]

you could have a macro for turning on the spindle or just use the console

[@DarkArtGuitars]

There is also a button, it's just on a different screen, meaning two clicks away instead of one. Not a deal breaker by any means, more of a small annoyance.

[@chernorjalloh-el8ud]

Where do you bought this controller thanks

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Directly from Masso

[@Festivejelly]

So what is it actually running? If you wanted to use Fusion 360 what post processor would you use. Not much info on what actual firmware its running.

[@DarkArtGuitars]

You can use their post processor, it works fine, you just need to check everything is set right before going ahead and just running it.

[@allen2139]

When you say their post processor do you mean Fusion 360 processor?

[@DarkArtGuitars]

yes@@allen2139

[@endlesslybrowsing6559]

You use the masso post processor....

[@l3of589]

Except for the pretty UI, this thing is never going to beat Centroid Acorn. The one without the monitor should not cost more than $399, this is not configurable at all.

[@MachinedInWood]

Centroid’s $399 option is 4 axis only, and 1 of those axis is a slave to another, so you can’t use a rotary axis. I have 2 Masso G3s and I’m building another machine now. I looked at Centroid. There’s no way. A Centroid Acorn CANNOT replace a Masso G3 driving a machine with slaved Y axis and a rotary. I’m not a fanboy, I run a business. If there was some way to get the same functionality out of a less expensive option, I’d be all over it. Masso is not perfect, however. The only monitor type that is supported is VGA, and touch screen support is virtually nonexistent. The wifi implementation is buggy, in my experience. The conversational programming options are a joke. Their mouse implementation is lacking scroll wheel support.

[@portblock]

Nice setup, good job converting and installing it. I like that controller, quick question, can you add some input switches for coolant on/off, feed rate override? I might be asking too much for the device. When we went to buy a new CNC, we looked at Haas, #1 reason we said no, is there is no switches and buttons, everything is touch screen, doesnt work when proving out a program and you need to single step, run, feed override without looking at the panel, we went with Doosan. anyways we have a cnc machine that we want to bring up and trying to decide on a controller and keep price down, Fanuc out of the questions as cheaper to buy new machine lol

[@DarkArtGuitars]

There are many configurable inputs, but I don't know all the functions they can trigger, you should be able to find them in the documentation on the Masso website.

[@BGraves]

UCCNC crushes this for value and functionality but the development has really come to a halt it seems

[@kristianhorsager2968]

Thank you for your great video on the rat rig killer bee!

[@allen2139]

@Festivejelly ask a question So what is it actually running? If you wanted to use Fusion 360 what post processor would you use. Not much info on what actual firmware its running. you replied You can use their post processor, it works fine, you just need to check everything is set right before going ahead and just running it. Did you mean Fusion 360 Post Processor or something else?😀

[@DarkArtGuitars]

I meant the fusion360 post processor they provide. I have been using it for a while now and it works perfectly. Just handles some things a bit different than the Mach3 one I was using for my old controller, but once I got used to them and tweaked the settings to what I like it does the job. I don't even think about it anymore now.

[@allen2139]

Thanks!!!!!!

[@graykimchi]

Do you know what microcontroller they use inside of it? I see stickers all over it online but im super curious what they are using.

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Not sure, I'd guess some arm soc. Next time I have it open I can have a look.

[@graykimchi]

@@DarkArtGuitars really curious. I wonder how they do real-time servo control and handle very not realtime OS for touch/vga interface. Thanks.

[@QAYWSXEDCCXYDSAEWQ]

Find "in the code" where is stopped, you're joking; sounds like Mission Impossible.

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Depends on what kind of operation you're doing. There is a comment every time it starts a new operation and sth like boring, facing, or even contour is actually quite readable. I wouldn't want to search through a surfacing or adaptive operation, but then I just restart the entire operation or post again from fusion

[@DMonZ1988]

thanks David, nice to see you. this thing is a beauty but damn is it pricey, especially since the price hike. thats a shame. i might have pulled the trigger at the ~1000EUR mark.

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Turns out the price hike was a mistake, it is back to the original price now.