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Thread: Rookie Question...3 axis vs 4 axis controller

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    Rookie Question...3 axis vs 4 axis controller

    I am considering building my first CNC machine and have seen several designs that use 2 motors on the X Axis. I would like to use this design approach. My question is are these two motors generally wired in parallel using a 3 axis controller, or is a 4 axis controller used and it treated as a fourth axis and programmed the same as the third axis?


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    Community Moderator ger21's Avatar
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    Use a 4 axis drive, and let the control software slave the second X motor to the first. Mach3 has this capability.
    Gerry

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://home.comcast.net/~cncwoodworker/2010.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Gerry,

    Thank you for the information, I will go the 4 axis route.

    Thanks again

    Kevin


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    I have just built a gantry style machine, I run the "y' axis with 2 motors. You slave the "A" axis motor off the "Y" .This is done in the Mach3 config settings.

    enjoy
    Burt


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