Is it feasible using Openbuild components to construct a Multiple Z-Axis Head Rotary CNC Router? I've looked at various examples online and they're all made in China. I'm inquiring as to the feasibility of constructing a machine of this type to make Balusters or other projects in multiples at the same time. Seeing as all of the Z-Axis would be cutting the same profiles along separate Y-Axis I was thinking that it shouldn't be that difficult using Mach3 or Mach4 or even UCCNC. I'm open to suggestions from the community.
Nothing technically preventing you from doing it, it's an easy technical project. Could even use grbl, there's no major software power required. You wouldn't even use a Y axis, it would be purely X-Z like a lathe, unless you have short Y-axes to make, say, square tenons or bolt hole patterns. If you don't need that, a whole bunch of static Z-axes on a gantry that moves in X would work just fine. If you do, I'd mount all of the z axes to another "gantry beam" that rolls parallel to the gantry, rather like a normal x-axis, and should give you the ~3-4" you would need to do that kind of work. A little bit of custom design, but actually not difficult at all and can use pre-existing machine designs to build off of.
i misstated the part about the Y-Axis. I know what your saying though. My main concern was whether or not I could get Mach3 or UCCNC to send the appropriate signals to multiple Z and X-Axis at the same time without interference and would I need to create my own Breakout Board to send these signals to the Drivers.
It seems that if you put two x gantry plates at the proper spacing you desire and then just put two separate z axis with both steppers running of the same driver, everything would be synced.
The design that I've been considering involves 6 or more Z-Axis mounted to the X Axis and the A-Axis perpendicular to the X Axis. I've pretty much decided to go with a configuration such as this that I can assemble myself and it's the Signal being sent to the numerous axis points that I'm trying to decide upon now. I am contemplating the usage of Leadshine Steppers with Integral Drivers, but the signal distribution has me stumped. Included is a picture of a factory machine that I am trying to replicate.
You're overthinking it, I think. Signals go to the same places as they ordinarily would. Nothing changes except you have a bunch of them in parallel for x, z and spindles. You take the signals out of the controller, immediately split them 6+ ways, and send each one to the appropriate driver. No worries.
