Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => Mach4 General Discussion => Topic started by: joeaverage on February 26, 2017, 12:38:04 AM

Title: RS485 Modbus vs Step Direction
Post by: joeaverage on February 26, 2017, 12:38:04 AM
Hi All,
have at work been introduced to Dynatorch software which controls 'distributed control' axes using RS485. Axes achieve
co-ordination when 'started' simultaneously pre-established position/time tables. Very clever.

The plasma table has X and Y axes executing simultaneously, ie co-ordinated movement in XY yet Z can be executed independently
offering regular Z axis movement and THC differential movement.

All motion controllers I've come across for Mach4 are step/direction types which offer co-ordinated movement in XYZ but then can't offer
differential Z movement for THC within one co-ordinated move, or at least without intervention from the motion control card, which few if any
offer at this time.

Is there any specific reason that a motion plugin could not be written for Mach4 which copies this behaviour?

Craig