Adding a rotary axis

One of the neatest things with this type of CNC machine (and others like it) is to cut or carve a round surface. In our applications so far, we have been operating on the X-Y plane. However, a very simple upgrade will allow us to add the ability to work around a surface instead of just on it. There are two ways to do this: make your own rotary axis, or just buy one. In this chapter, we are going to cover a unit you can buy, while in a later chapter, we will discuss fabricating your own. The rotary axis replaces your Y-axis, allowing the toolhead to move in the X direction, but your workpiece will rotate while that is happening. The nice thing about all this is that you can carve/cut with the spindle, engrave and cut with the laser, and draw with the pen. A rotary axis is therefore a very useful upgrade. In this section, let’s quickly discuss the setup and then look at the impact on the G-code. We will do a deeper dive into working with a rotating workpiece...