I'm in the design stage of an applicator arm. It will be a two axis system similar to a robot arm. I am currently looking for a controller and software that can control it. The arm has to reach into a horizontal slot and apply an adhesive. The adhesive pattern changes often. I would like to be able to plot the pattern in CAD, and create the path from the .dxf, similar to a cnc mill. The device will resemble an arm with a shoulder and elbow, in the horizontal plane. I am looking for ideas on how to control the arm, since a move in X or Y will require both motor to move in two arcs that will scribe a pattern. Any ideas?

Mach 3 should be able to handle it or even EMC its simply a path move programed from your cad.

Bob

No, it's not simply a path move.
A straight line would require both motors to move in an arc.
Look at a scara robot and you will see what I mean.