Originally Posted by
Superman
Ok, I'll bite back
It seems it may be a motor control issue , mastercam outputs the axis control in degrees, somewhere this angle has to be converted into motor movement.
Usually a motor has directoin of rotation contol ( CW or CCW ),this motion quite often is transfered to the faceplate by worm gear, giving greater control of positioning . This is where direct feed can be used whilst cutting, but there are other factors that come into play ie backlash, vibration , etc
Another method is as a positioning axis only, using a "curvic coupling" ( radially curved gears ) , where the faceplate is lifted, rotated to an angle, and the re-engaged with the coupling,( this is the best for heavy work as vibration, backlash etc. are nearly eliminated )
The issues with the last method is it is positioning only, and limited to a set angle of increment, say 1 or 5 deg
The faceplate should have an encoder directly attached, for converting pulses, somehow or something like that, so that the machine knows where it's at.
A goood example is a "Dividing Head" , you turn the handle a certain number of turns and then lock it up. Now replace that handle with a motor, and a method of counting turns, and a clamp system. Hey presto, a rotary axis.
How'd I go ??