re:RE: more R,P,Y axis conventions (rotary)

Alan,

(snips and more below)

>I checked ACODE.DAT,

Yes. That's the file (I couldn't remember the name) It's a nice
feature for a "phase-enabled" controller. It's easier to change bits
than wiring :-)

>I selected a reverse rotation pattern for Y in my program, and with
>the exception of also flipping the direction of the UP and DOWN
>keys, the travel, sign and usage works the same for my program and
>MaxNC (well, I use the arrow key set, and MaxNC uses just left and
>right shifts).

Step/Dir S/W usually has a "bit flip" available to the jog key(s) Dir.
BTW, the "shift" keys (as used by MaxNC) could be a good choice
for "additional linear axis" COMMON keys. This would give us 6 axis
jog capability from a std. keyboard (cursors,PgUp/Dn,2 sets of +/-
,and shift keys)

>(I've been testing B) to indicate (the little pointer on the
>circumference) the right direction on the table!

B rotates around Y. So the plane is XZ (involved axes). Positive Y is
BEHIND the sherline. So you look at the rotation from behind the mill!
And maybe "THROUGH" the rotary table. (what?! Yours isn't selectively
invisible?!<g>) I paid extra on all my machines for "selective
invisibility". Pretty expensive option, but it sure helps setups!

>Just thinking that rotation is opposite for the tool helps, I was
>wondering how to envision the tool going in circles!

Okay, but remember to keep your FOCUS on what the TOOL is doing. Will
be helpful later with cut dia. comp, and some setups which strain the
mind!

>> Answer: BOTH!
>> With G02 it will be positive when the TOOL is moving CW.
>> With G03 it will be positive when the TOOL is moving CCW.

Sorry. I forgot we were using the rotary when I was typing that part.
(Fade out of Ballendos Brain...)

>Both, huh? Well, if I command 2.00" on Y, I get + movement (tool to
>rear of the part, yes). But currently, if I command 200.0 deg on
>the B, the table rotates ccw to 160 degrees (according to the
>indicator).
>Which I don't think I want! But then the "tool" went to 200 deg!?
>OUCH! Which do I want?

Are you in absolute (G90) or incremental (G91)?

>Would I really use G02 and G03 on the table? It would be nice to be
>able to get it to "rotate a cut".

ON the rotary table or WITH the rotary table?
(XY arcs with B vs. XB "arcs". curves, really.)

Andrew Werby can prob'ly show you what happens when you combine two
rotating motions. Try(from memory): http://www.computersculpture.com

And certain types of Cam could make use of this type of move. Or
lettering a surface?

>Configurations are a GOOD thing, I just don't want to have to change
>the phase outputs or feed rate calibrations.

Multiple configs' can also allow "scaling" by setting FALSE step
sizes. And allow Ellipses by setting unequal step sizes! On controls
which don't "support" either of these! (Kevin Carrol clued me in to
this a few years back. He wrote the original code for Stepster.)

>Yup! Good thing to call them! I wish MaxNC had done it that way. I
>HATE the "CAPS LOCK" approach. Well, and also the choice of keys for
>commands, and EXITS, that's what the ESC key is for!

Couldn't agree more. If we CAN, let's use the keys in "correct", or
at least "insightful" ways...

Hope this helps.

Ballendo