Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: fixittt on May 09, 2012, 03:35:48 PM

Title: Running a axis as a lathe/spindle
Post by: fixittt on May 09, 2012, 03:35:48 PM
I got asked this question
A axis is setup on pins 8 and 9
Is there a way to have the rotary table continusly rotate like a chuck lathe and still be able to jog the other axis`s while its rotating?

Using the MDI line and giving a a large value will run the A but locks the ability to manually jog the other axis`s

any ideas?
Title: Re: Running a axis as a lathe/spindle
Post by: Hood on May 09, 2012, 04:00:24 PM
You would need to have it set as a spindle and an axis. What you would do is use it as an axis for nomral 4 axis work then have a macro to do a swap axis and you could then make it run as a spindle. Only issue would be is you could not have another spindle set up in that profile, Mach 4 is to  support multiple spindles.

Hood
Title: Re: Running a axis as a lathe/spindle
Post by: simpson36 on May 16, 2012, 03:41:55 PM
I hope I'm not doing something 'illegal by posting this' but here is a solution that I have developed. It has only been available to my 4th axis buyer till now, but will I have been working to make it 'generic' and it will  be available in a few weeks to anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBLuF_F2_qs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBLuF_F2_qs)