| IMService Controller Model | SYS-3A | SYS-4B | SYS-5 | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Controller Picture |  |
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| System additional info and purchase Link | BUY | BUY | BUY | |
| Interface | Serial or USB (with USB to serial adaptor) | Parallel | USB-2 | |
| Operating System | Windows 98/XP/Vista | Linux - DOS or Windows XP |
Windows XP/Vista | |
| Controller Software | DeskCNC | EMC/TurboCNC/CNC Pro/CNCZeus/Mach3 | Mach3/ncPOD API | Mach3 requires Win XP or Vista |
| Control Software Included | Yes | Free from 3rd party/extra cost | Extra Cost/Free API | |
| Hardware | DeskCNC Controller | Buffered breakout board | ncPOD | |
| Number of Axes | 2,3, or 4 | 2,3, or 4 | 2,3, or 4 | |
| Cam Programming Software Included, engraving, pocketing, drilling, contouring, 3D surfacing, 3D rotary ring programming, image tracing and 3D grayscale, PCB drilling and trace isolation. | Yes | extra cost | extra cost | |
| Available as a component kit? | Yes Kit-3A and PS kit are available |
Yes Kit-4A and PS kit are available |
No | |
| Stand Alone Operation | No | No | Planned (Uses SD Card Memory) | |
| Contact probing | Yes | Yes | Planned | |
| 3D Surface Scan to STL Cad File, with contact probe tip compensation | Yes | No | No | |
| External Relay Box | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| External Router speed control | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Lathe threading with quadrature encoder | Yes | No | No | |
| Lathe, Mill, Router, Rotary 4th axis, Foam Wire Machine Setups | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Closed Loop Servo System with PMDC Motors and quadrature encoders | Yes | Yes | Yes |  |
| Maximum Steps per second | 85,000 4X mode |
21,250-1X 85,000-4X |
21,250 1X 75,000-4X |
SYS-4B max speed is controlled by PC and Operating system |
| Resolution on a Sherline mill or lathe | 112800 steps/inch 4X (quadrature) | 28200 steps/inch 1X 112800 steps/inch 4X | 28200 steps/inch 1X 112800 steps/inch 4X | The sv-500 servo drivers can operate in 1x mode to accommodate slower computer interfaces. |
| Max traverse speed on a Sherline Mill or lathe with 20 threads per inch lead screws | 45 ipm | 45 ipm | 39 ipm | |
| inch/metric units | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 220/240 volt power option | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Limit/Home circuit, Latching Power circuit with E-stop, Servo Reset, AC line and servo power lamps, Cooling fan | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 300VA linear power supply | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2 axis boxes have 200 VA power supply |
| 9' heavy duty, grounded power cord with IEC connector | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Computer Cable included | Serial 10' | Parallel 6' | USB 6' | |
| 12' Encoder cables and 12' Servo Power cable with in-line connector and terminated ends | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2 axis boxes have 12' 4 conductor servo motor power cable with terminated ends |
| Spindle Relay in Case | Optional, Aux relay also available | Optional | Optional | |
| Cycle Start Switch | No | Yes | Yes |