Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: patsgunrepair on July 19, 2014, 11:39:47 PM

Title: How to use a 4th axis on a 3 Axis system
Post by: patsgunrepair on July 19, 2014, 11:39:47 PM

Hi there, just wondering if there is a way to use a 4th axis on a 3 axis system. My system is only setup to handle 3 axis. I would like to use a 4th axis. So is there anyway to do this. I thought that maybe I could use a single motion controller connected to a USB port. I use Mach 3 and use the parallel port to run the 3 axis'. So is it possible to run the 4th axis on the USB port at the same time I use the parallel port to run the x,y,z axis'? Or any other suggestions? Thanks.

Pat

Title: Re: How to use a 4th axis on a 3 Axis system
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on July 20, 2014, 05:44:26 AM

Hi Pat,

As far as I am aware that cannot be done.

Why not just configure your existing parallel port system to use the A axis and that would then be your 4th axis ?

Tweakie.

Title: Re: How to use a 4th axis on a 3 Axis system
Post by: patsgunrepair on July 22, 2014, 04:35:32 PM

Tweakie thanks for the reply. The reason I don't config my parallel port to use the A axis is that my controller isn't setup for a 4th axis. I was hoping to use a different controller for a 4th axis config to work with the parallel port. Thanks again for the reply.

Pat

Title: Re: How to use a 4th axis on a 3 Axis system
Post by: magicniner on July 23, 2014, 09:20:47 AM

If you add an unbuffered breakout board such as the one from Routout CNC you can use a pass-through for all the connections in current use to your existing BOB/controllers and divert the required, unused connections to an additional buffered BOB or straight to a buffered controller such as those offered by Routout CNC.
Alternatively add a second Parallel port card to the PC,
Regards,
Nick