Re: Re: 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER

> Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2001 21:36:31 -0400
> From: "Carlos Guillermo" <carlos@...>
>Subject: RE: Re: 4-AXIS FOAM CUTTER
>
>What hobby-level cnc controls will handle the U-V g-codes without
>having to do special tricks?
>

Tim is right about EMC. Any controller that can map the fourth axis as a linear, rather than a rotary axis can be used. Vector can re-map any of the coordinate words to another letter or a symbol (as well as completely reformat the output too). On an Ahha, you could process X-Y, Z-W quite easily and the Vector 4th axis driver would be quite happy, as would the Ahha. I'm sure that most of the other low cost controllers can also support this. However controllers with only 3 control axes would not be suitable.

Vector actually interpolates the geometry to small lines to synchronize the 4 axes. There is a provision to allow one planar cut to hold or slow while the opposite axes form additional cuts to "catch up". This would happen if there was a single straight line on one axis plane, but several complex contours that had to be cut simultaneously by the other axis plane. It also automatically compensates for the actual controlled head height, so you can cut forms in material that is not flat, by programming the wire guide movement, rather than the material hole which you have drawn.

Best Regards,

Fred Smith
IMService