Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: pjcevallos@gmail.com on March 13, 2026, 12:49:23 PM

Title: RTCP for a XYZCA (five axes) CNC
Post by: pjcevallos@gmail.com on March 13, 2026, 12:49:23 PM

Hi

Does Mach4 industry do the kinematics for 5 axes (RTCP)?

someone posted this very useful video of the explanation.

Any tips are welcomed for programming and setting up the machine as I could not find too much posts about the topic or manuals.

Title: Re: RTCP for a XYZCA (five axes) CNC
Post by: zeboncak on April 10, 2026, 01:24:59 AM

Yes, Mach4 is capable of 5-axis kinematics, including RTCP, but it's important to note that it usually requires the Industrial version and often depends on the specific motion controller you are using (like HiCON Integra or Vital Systems)

Title: Re: RTCP for a XYZCA (five axes) CNC
Post by: Williamia on April 28, 2026, 01:51:56 AM

Quote from: zeboncak on April 10, 2026, 01:24:59 AM

Yes, Mach4 is capable of 5-axis kinematics, including RTCP, but it's important to note that it usually requires the Industrial version and often depends on the specific motion controller you are using (like HiCON Integra or Vital Systems)

What are the common challenges faced during setup?

Title: Re: RTCP for a XYZCA (five axes) CNC
Post by: joeaverage on June 07, 2026, 07:33:30 PM

Hi,

Quote

Yes, Mach4 is capable of 5-axis kinematics, including RTCP, but it's important to note that it usually requires the Industrial version

I don't believe that is correct. Neither Mah4Hobby nor Mach4Industrial have RTCP natively..........at least that is my understanding.

Were it otherwise then Artsoft/MachLabs would be trumpeting that capability for sure.......and yet they do not.

I have a five axis (trunnion/ rotary platter) device I can add to my machine. Mach4Hobby runs five axis no trouble at all, but it does not do RTCP.

Thus the CAM program (Fusion Basic + Fusion Machining Extensions) must generate the five axis Gcode, and the machine center point of the CAD/CAM model
MUST be coincident with the actual machine center. Thereafter the code runs fine.

What RTCP allows is for you to place material in the vice and touch off at some convenient location on the part, and RTCP will 'translate' the Gcode to reflect that the material
is at some offset from the CAD/CAM model zero center. RTCP is very nice to have and most, if not all industrial grade five axis motion controllers support RTCP.....at a cost!
It is a shame that Mach4 does not, and it is that one shortcoming that precludes it from competing with other industrial controls.

The truth is I use four and five axis so little that the extra cost of Fusion Machining extensions is not justified, and I've let the Machining Extensions subscription lapse, although
I use Fusion Basic daily, and could not run my business without it.

I've been using Mach4Hobby for ten years. At this time there is no inclination for me to upgrade to either Industrial nor MachPro. Were Mach4, of any version
to support RTCP natively I would upgrade in a heartbeat........at whatever cost that was demanded. Were however Mach4, be it MachPro or Industrial offer RTCP, even for
$2000USD I would take it up. I would encourage Mach4 developers and/or Mach Labs developers reading this to consider making the investment in RTCP.
I don't think that RTCP can realistically be priced to meet Hobby demand, but for those users whom value genuine industrial grade RTCP, such as me, will pay.

Craig

Title: Re: RTCP for a XYZCA (five axes) CNC
Post by: ithingex on June 09, 2026, 11:42:39 PM

Quote from: pjcevallos@gmail.com on March 13, 2026, 12:49:23 PM

Hi

Does Mach4 industry do the kinematics for 5 axes (RTCP)?

someone posted this very useful video of the explanation.

granny 1 (https://granny-1.io/)

Any tips are welcomed for programming and setting up the machine as I could not find too much posts about the topic or manuals.

Yes, Mach4 Industrial supports 5-axis kinematics and RTCP, but much depends on the motion controller and its plugin. My advice is to verify that your controller supports RTCP, carefully set the rotary pivot points, and start with simple 3+2 tests before attempting full 5-axis simultaneous machining. If you share your controller and machine type, you'll likely get more specific guidance.

Title: Re: RTCP for a XYZCA (five axes) CNC
Post by: joeaverage on June 09, 2026, 11:57:08 PM

Hi,

Quote

Mach4 Industrial supports 5-axis kinematics and RTCP, but much depends on the motion controller and its plugin

According to the published feature chart Mach4 Industrial does nor support RTCP or kinematics.....yet you claim otherwise. Please post your evidence for that contention.

This is the latest feature list from MachLabs........and no mention of RTCP.

https://www.mach-labs.com/software/mach-feature-comparison/ (https://www.mach-labs.com/software/mach-feature-comparison/)

Craig