[tefarko]

I am designing a new laser cutter and I plan to use a setup with pulleys and belts where both motors move the X and Y axis: when the motors turn to the same direction the X axis moves and when the motors turn opposite directions the Y axis moves.

it's the first time I am using Mach3 and I couldn't find a way to configure it for this setup.

is it possible or do I need to go after another program?

Attachment 233508

[ger21]

Not possible.

[keebler303]

I think it is possible to get mach to move the axes how you want with the proper g code, but it would not be possible to display the actual X,Y coordinates of the tool so it would be quite cumbersome to use.

Seems like it would be better to stick to a standard one motor per axis setup....

[tefarko]

I think it's possible to solve it with the use of Formulas... I will try when I have all the hardware ready...

[Lil2J]

I always use Mach3 because it is pretty intuitive (I'm not great w computers). I wouldn't change the program, but I would, as it has been suggested, use a motor for each axis

[keebler303]

If your intent is to make it challenging to control the machine, then proceed. If you want a working machine you can use, just do what everyone else does and make it a normal machine that mach3 will control out of the box. If it is even possible, you are in for a treat to reprogram the machine coordinates to read correctly. Circular interpolation (G2 &G3) will definitely not work, canned cycles won't work, homing would likely not work, etc.

On top of that, you would be writing your own CAM software to control the machine and that would be a treat as well. Seriously, just be like everyone else.

If you really want to be difficult, linuxcnc is more suited to to the type of modifications you would need to do to get it to work.

[Fred27]

There are obviously some disadvantages with this setup. What do you think are the advantages? There's certainly nothing wrong with trying something different, but there should be a reason why you think it'll be better.

[keebler303]

There are obviously some disadvantages with this setup. What do you think are the advantages? There's certainly nothing wrong with trying something different, but there should be a reason why you think it'll be better.

Inertia of the moving parts is reduced so you get better acceleration, not worth the control trouble...

[tefarko]

I have a vintage Datacal plotter that uses this system and it's light, fast and very precise...

[samco]

I think it is called 'corexy' and I think there are kins already make for linuxcnc..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAg6w2Gmx-g

http://www.linuxcnc.org/index.php/en...-bot-ou-corexy

may want to google translate..

sam