Yes, this is exactly the type of work it is doing. I apologize my first post wasn't too descriptive there =)
It works by retracting the axis back far enough to insert the entire length of the cable, then feed it through, rotate it and bend it at the angles needed. The whole process is done through a table of X, Y and Z coordinates, and just like you say, the only two real sets of coordinates are the first and last. The others extend out into space to connect the straights in order to compute the arc.
The way that our DOS benders do it is it uses a file format derived from HP called a Bend file (BND format) which is exported from the CAD program. This places the computations for set length, degree of bend etc. right in the file. We would like to compute this data on the fly using only the XYZ table, and not have to rely on using a CAD program.
Our current DOS programs were written in the early 80's and as such, no source is available for me to port to C++. Any help on where I should start to look is greatly appreciated =)
Andy 'Fish-Guy' Kellett  |