Thread: Mach4

cool , supports , robotics , i was looking for software to drive a stepper based 6 axis robotic arm , hard to program a " linear " movement , when every movement is in an arc

dont have top have a dedicated PC

wonder if its still parallel port operated , it hard to find old PC's now , might up grade to a USB smooth step when mach4 comes out

Don't hold your breath.

Originally Posted by SawDustSniffer

cool , supports , robotics , i was looking for software to drive a stepper based 6 axis robotic arm , hard to program a " linear " movement , when every movement is in an arc

dont have top have a dedicated PC

wonder if its still parallel port operated , it hard to find old PC's now , might up grade to a USB smooth step when mach4 comes out

LinuxCNC can control a stupid number of axes and various non Cartesian systems

As Rod says, this has been 'coming' for about 2 years now.

Having said that, I do expect (hope) that it will be ready for this Christmas. The main hold up now appears to be the documentation.

[QUOTE=Bob Willson;1682894]As Rod says, this has been 'coming' for about 2 years now.[QUOTE]
Sounds like the 4th axis promises for the CNC Shark, coming soon but when is soon?

Thought a spindle sticking out of a robotic arm with a indexing clamping table would be a cool project, 900mm ( 600 useable ) reach , but the software side is a bastard
Every axis motor moves the spindle in an "arc" , not a " plane " and i would say any software for CAM would cost more than 4th axis 3D cut software
Started to draw up a 6 axis arm in CAD for making patterns and casting in aluminum , but with put software it would be as useless as a 4th axis with no CAM

I sent them an email a few days ago and so far no reply, when I get one I will post it.
David

I had a reply and they are looking at the next month some time. Lets hope.
David

I'll be amazed if it does. I remember seeing stuff about it coming soon back in 2005...

If I wasn't so old I could probably remember that far back myself.