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Author Topic: Switching X with Y axis?  (Read 1849 times)

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Switching X with Y axis?
« on: January 12, 2016, 09:56:04 PM »
Total newbie to CNC.  Getting my machine all setup.  The Y axis of my machine is longer than the X axis.    In most cases it would seem to me I would want it the there way around.

Can I just swap the cables?  Or is there a better way to do this in software?

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Switching X with Y axis?
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2016, 01:56:28 AM »
As a general rule, the axes are arranged to where the operator stands in relation to the machine. This makes the left/right axis the X axis and the front/back axis the Y axis  - the main reason for this is that is the way many CAD/CAM softwares display/produce their image/Gcode. But it does not have to be this way and you are free to choose whatever orientation suits you best.

To change the axes, either way you mention is OK but I would just swap the cables (you may also need to make changes to the way your limit switches are configured, depending on how they are wired).

Tweakie.
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Re: Switching X with Y axis?
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2016, 08:20:16 AM »
Thanks Tweakie.    Actually right now the machine is positioned  "backward"   to my position so swapping would be of benefit.