XA Plane interpoloation
Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2024 2:04 pmIn my new exploration of 4 axis CNC I've discovered a new limitation or feature request - the ability to perform circular interpolation in the X/A plane.
To write my 4 axis code, I have been drawing the paths in an unwrapped state and then after post-processing, I find/replace the Y-axis moves with the A axis (and change scale if appropriate). After that I have to go in and use a tool to convert all G2/G3 moves to straight line interpolations due to the limits of the G17/G18/G19 assignments. This makes the code much longer and my tool paths not as nice.
It seems the implementation of the 4th axis interpolation is very specific to each controller manufacturer so there isn't a standard way of doing this? (At least that I could find)
I would like to propose a G17.1 command to allow circular interpolation in the XA plane.
To write my 4 axis code, I have been drawing the paths in an unwrapped state and then after post-processing, I find/replace the Y-axis moves with the A axis (and change scale if appropriate). After that I have to go in and use a tool to convert all G2/G3 moves to straight line interpolations due to the limits of the G17/G18/G19 assignments. This makes the code much longer and my tool paths not as nice.
It seems the implementation of the 4th axis interpolation is very specific to each controller manufacturer so there isn't a standard way of doing this? (At least that I could find)
I would like to propose a G17.1 command to allow circular interpolation in the XA plane.