Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] linear encoder to control rotary indexer??

nielsenbe@... wrote:

> I would like to use a linear encoder to control a haas or similar
> rotary indexer. The machine is going to cut a helical pattern. I just
> want the indexer to rotate X ammount for every .0001 in linear travel
> in both directions. The haas indexer controler has an rs-232 port
> as does some of the encoders I have seen for sale. Is it possible to
> control everything from a PC? I just need to have several programs
> that change the ammount of rotation per inch of linear travel. As you
> can guess I have no experience building something like this. Any
> suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Brad

Unless your linear movement is very slow, I think an RS-232 link
will be way too slow. I don't know what sort of machine you are using
this on, but when you mention Haas I tend to think of a commercial
shop with high performance machines. Many commercial servo
machines have servo update rates of from 10 KHz to 30KHz, meaning
they correct the position of the machine over 10,000 times every second.
You just won't be able to keep up with a simple serial link. Depending
on what accuracy you need, you may be able to get acceptable results,
but it is not at all guaranteed. If you gave us some more details of
the proposed operations we might be able to give better advice.

Jon