[Grant Nicholson]

We have an HDS machine on the way, with a higher gantry (11.8"). I want to use a rotary axis with this machine, and lift it off of the bed to turn larger diameters under the gantry. Physically this is not a problem. Will the controller have any issues with being programmed to 'see' the new height of the rotary axis?

[ericscottf]

The changes you'll make are in your CAM software, the machine won't know any difference for anything other than the part zero spot.

Easy stuff.

Eric

[Montabelli]

Eric, are you saying the hds controller has 4th axis capability or are you subbing 1 for another?

[ericscottf]

Indeed, there are instances of them that have 4-axis capability. I don't know if we've sold any, but regardless, the physical location of the central axis of a rotary table shouldn't ever be required to be in one spot by a controller.

That would be insane.

[Montabelli]

I agree about the location, I was just under the impression that no provision had been made in the electronics for a fourth axis, I know your board will handle it, I currently run a four axis arrangement on my 21 year old table top machine.

If I can ever replace that machine with a HDS machine, I surmise from what you are saying, I could take an exist amplifier and ac servo and wire them into the controller box and be able to run a fourth axis, correct?

[Grant Nicholson]

I'm assuming that since there is no issue regarding the location of the center of the 4th axis, that there won't be any limiting issues regarding the diameter of the parts - that should also be a CAM setup, independent of the controller.

[ericscottf]

The major limitation will obviously be the travel of the machine and the gantry height, unless you don't need to run over the part.

[Grant Nicholson]

Eric, it looks like my earlier post didn't go - it was thanking you for your response. Now that I know I can turn larger diameters, we went ahead and added the rotary axis to our purchase. I'm absolutely thrilled!

I'm looking at Visual Mill for software - are there any other 4th axis programs you would recommend?
I'm fluent in Enroute, but it's not capable of full 4th axis output.

[ericscottf]

I think you'll be happy with VM.

Eric