Hey guys!!

I am new to the whole mach3 software so I am making my way through the videos and I am learning as I go along. I just wanted to know how I can adapt the programme to get 6 linear axis, what I mean is +/- x, y and z. Is there a way to mirror the x, y,z axes on mach 3 and if so how? Also, as it is a double sided cnc machine I would like the top and bottom axes to mirror each other as it goes along. Any ideas or suggestions would be kindly appreciated thank you.

Hi,
I haven't tried to do as you are suggesting but it is simple enuf to 'slave' one axis to another.

On the Config/Ports and Pins/Motor Outputs page if you enter the exact port/pin/active low settings in the A axis as you
used in the X axis then the A axis will behave indenticaly to the X axis. Would that be at least part way to what you require?

Craig

Yes thank you very much joeaverage,

I had a feeling it was something around that area but I just thought to confirm it with an expert in the field thank you.
So does that mean if I create g code for example g00xoyozo then it will also be g00a0b0co, actually a better example would be g02 x10 y15 z11 then it will also be g02 a10 b15 c11? If so then that's great.

Most of the time we would like our z axis to move together.
There are three processes the machine needs to be able to demonstrate. All three processes require the movement of x and y axes definitely.
One can be demonstrated by mirroring which is what you have just explained, the second is a local support process which requires a slight tool offset between the z axes tools. This means that the top tool needs to be slightly ahead of the bottom tool but going to the same velocity. Its a deformation process. How would you set this offset?

The final process require  the movement of both z tools but then one tool stays at the side of the bed while the top tool deforms the material.

I hope I have explained this well enough and that you understand, if not please feel free to correct me on terminology or ask more questions.

Also is it ok to call the spindle as the z axis? As we have 2 spindles, what is the best way of mirroring two spindles on mach3? Or activating two spindles?