As it happens, my SHARNOA CNC Vmill uses Polar coords for
rapids (G10), linear feeds (G11), and circular
interpolation (G12 & G13). The Polar mode allows
geometrically pure ellipses, too. Also, makes very easy to
machine helixes (read make threads). There are also two
recti-linear G-codes, G00; a rapid, and G01; a linear
interpolation. But, perhaps you're talking about a
'Robot-Arm' type of effector, where you'd have to calculate
the angle vs. arm radius to determine true position.
RayHex
----------
From: Lee Wenger <wenger2k@...>
What all would have to happen to allow a CNC machine to
be based on a polar coordinate system rather than a
rectangular one. The big benefit to me would be that the
single most expensive component of a router/plama type of
system is the slides and drive components (the screws or
rack/pinon not the motor itself) for the longest axis (for
systems of the size/type I have in mind this would be to
move a gantry). But I assume that would mandate a change
to the controller so it could interpret g-codes as polar
coordinates. Are there any controller packages out there
currently that support polar-coordinates?
