Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: beezerlm on September 29, 2016, 01:04:00 PM
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There is probably something simple I am missing here, but I would like to rename the "A axis" to "U axis" throughout the system. Is there a simple way to change the letter of an axis in Mach 4?
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Hi,
not quite sure what you're hoping to achieve. Even if you did successfully change Aaxis to Uaxis throughout
your Gcode will still have to use 'A' unless you can change how Mach interprets Gcode.
It is possible to relabel the buttons and similar so they would display 'U' instead of 'A' but the underlying
code and actions would remain Aaxis actions/signals.
Craig
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Craig - That is what I want to change. The axis is technically the "U" axis. It is an auxiliary axis that runs parallel to the X axis. I have already changed the buttons etc... but then the G-code still needs to see "A". I would like to change the axis letter globally throughout the system so it is recognized as "U".
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I don't believe that is possible.... you have ABCXYZ.... all gcode works on that.... some axis can be slaved to others...
Why not just change the gcode to one of the isable acceptable letters?
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I can do that, but I just wanted to follow what seems to be the machine tool industry standards for axis designation. I have used a lot of different machine tools and every single one has followed this.
Attached is a screenshot from http://www.globalspec.com/reference/76593/203279/multiaxis-machine-configurations
The main spindle axis is typically the "Z" axis. "X" is perpendicular to the "Z" and is usually (not always) the longer of the two between "X/Y" if they have different travels.
By knowing the cartesian "XYZ" of a machine tool you should be able to point out "ABC" and "UVW" without guessing. If you run a lot of different machines on a regular basis, it's nice to have them follow a standard axis designation to avoid mistakes made due to sloppy/random axis assignments.
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I have way less experience than you.
But, having a quick look at the comparison document I found, M3 + M4 will only control 6 axis, hence the normal practice is to slave an A, B or C to an X, Y or Z should you have a parallel axis.
http://www.machsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Mach%20Version%20Differences_doc_a9.pdf
Pardon my ignorance, but why would you want to operate the U axis any differently to the other parrallel axis (other than if you were squaring it up)?
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A typical application of a UV running parallel to XY would be for taper cutting on a wire EDM machine. My machine is a grinding machine and "U" controls the wheel head outfeed.
(http://www.metalcam.com/2010/Fikus16/Whatsnew/image/Wire/Repartos.jpg)
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This may be what is called an out of band axis (or axes), sorry out of my depth.... sure a knowledganle person will come along, I'll get the popcorn and learn, Thanks for taking the time with the explanation.
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Speaking out ignorance .............. ::)
I would say that Mach controller is designated to industry standard for a 6 axis machine with primaries / rotary of X/A, Y/B, Z/C.
If it was 9 axis then it would have a supplemental secondary axes of U,V,W and thus related X/U/A, Y/V/B, Z/W/C were U,V,W
are parallel to X.Y.Z.
dah........, only know what Smid says, ;)
no pop corn left....going for the chips :D
RICH
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Rich, I would have to respectfully disagree unless ABC are forced to rotary axis. UVW are linear.
Examples:
1. A typical CNC horizontal boring mill table rotation is designated the "B" axis because it's rotational axis is parallel the "Y" axis. The "W" axis is the linear movement of the actual protruding spindle parallel to the "Z" axis. The "C" axis is rotational about the "W" axis
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1tQAt_NogfY/UgNqNQVuRmI/AAAAAAAAAKc/I_LMsMcXMwU/s1600/full_src_HBM+axes.jpg)
2. A 4axis wire edm machine that can cut tapers has a UV that are linear and run parallel to XY
(http://www.sodick.co.in/images/linear-axis-for-machine.jpg)
3. In a VMC, when mounting a rotary that's rotational axis runs parallel to the "X", It is designated the "A" axis.
If the rotational axis is parallel to the "Y" axis, it is designated the "B" axis.
(http://www.cnccookbook.com/img/CNCCookbook/5AxisMillAxes.jpg)
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Rich - Actually I agree with what you said, though it would be nice if ABC could be optionally UVW. It would allow for greater flexibility in machine building within the 6 available axes, because the axes can currently be used for rotary or linear applications.
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I haven't followed Mach4 for some time now so whatever Artsoft will / wants / or decides to do is up to them.
They have option to do whatever and define the basis.
I also don't know the historical sequence of CNC as it has developed over time and just how the standards have evolved addressing it all.
Different manufactures, proprietary code / controllers all add to the confusion. But will say that definition of axes from a mathematical point of view have been around a long time.
I will say that my basis of knowledge is whatever is published by Smid on the CNC topic and frankly that is well recognized source.
It is interesting that over time the industrial complexity has evolved and the quest for more is always desired. Haven't seen anything for a 12
axis machine yet.............
BTW, in Mach3, ABC axes can be linear and not rotary and Mach knows only what you tell it.
So in a sense you can have the equivalent of UVW, but, you can't use those designations for axis definition in the gcode dialect of Mach.
Interesting thread as one learns everyday. Frankly I am becoming "dated" ::) and I like it!
Simpler life these days my friend, :D ;)
RICH
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I was never really sure if any standard were published on this, so I googled it and found an Iso publication. ISO 841 - "Industrial automation systems and integration — Numerical control of machines — Coordinate system and motion nomenclature"
Here is some of what it says:
"
Linear motion:
When, in addition to the primary linear motions X, Y and Z, there exists secondary linear motions parallel to the
primary motions, these shall be designated U, V and W respectively. Similarly, for tertiary motions, they shall be
designated P, Q and R respectively. When linear motions exist which are not (or may not be) parallel to X, Y and Z,
they may be designated U, V, W, P, Q, or R as is most convenient.
The primary linear motions should be those nearest the principal spindle, the secondary the next nearest, and the
tertiary are the farthest.
For milling machines, the cutting-bit with respect to a facing slide should be designated U or P if these letters are
available.
For machines with multiple units or many parallel movements, the designation of these motions may be indexed by
using a letter and a number (e.g. X1, X2, ...). The index shall be a positive integer greater than zero. The primary
motion(s) may or may not have an index. Thus it is possible on one machine to have motions with and without
indices.
Rotary motions:
When, in addition to the primary rotary motions, there exists secondary rotary motions, either parallel to A, B, or C
or compounded or gimballed to A, B, or C, they shall be designated D or E (if these letters are available). As with
linear motions, rotary motions may be indexed
"
I have seen screw machines that use X1,X2,X3 etc.... But I can't say I have ever seen a P,Q or R axis.....yet :)
I can handle programming my "U" as "A", I just wanted to keep things the same as all the other machine tools I have operated for the sake of simplicity. I have a hard time remembering which way is up nowadays ;)
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I know we use U's and W's on our haas lathe so I did a quick look and m4 lathe manual and it has info for that on page 4 but it's not what you are wanting to see but it's there
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In Mach 4, UVW controls ABC in a linear fashion. Simply change A labels to U on the screen and use U in your G code. (Don't forget to turn on the in/mm display in the DRO.) Wire and map everything on A.
Steve
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Well I'll be damned it worked! :D
Thanks Steve.
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Glad you are working now!
I looked at the docs and this was unmentioned in the mill manual. So I updated the docs. :)
Just to be clear for everyone, this is for mill. For turn, UVW are used for incremental moves of the XYZ axes. There is no G91 in turn anymore for Mach 4.
Steve