Configuring A rotary axis to substitute for the Y axis

I have a home build 3 axis gantry machine and have constructed a horizontal rotary axis that I want to be able to substitute for the normal Y axis. Stepconf only seams to support XYZ and XYZA configurations. What is the best way to handle such a configuration? ( info: I am using Vcarve pro for design and code G generation ).

Do they have an axis substitution tool path option?

On the vcarve side I can define the rotary axis. Just not sure what to do in stepconfig for the linuxcnc side.

It may not look right in the preview window, but I don't see why it would work.
An a move is an a move no matter where the rotary is

Just some issue with degrees vs linear measure, if it can wrap on a rotary axis, if I will have issues with limits at 0/360, if I can ignore limit switches for that a axis. Just seems like a lot of things might be taken care of if it new it was a rotary axis. Maybe I can use the XYZA and just not define Y and set A up with those ports. Just wanting to see if someone has worked through it already.

You would have a y0 move to put you on center then drilling for example

G90 g0 x-5.y0a0
G81 z-5
A90
A180
A270

Angles are angles

Well, sure. But my problems are with the setup of the init. Wondering it I can use stepconfig or if I have to go manual to define a horizontal axis in place of the Y axis. Code and math I can handle.

One way to do this might be to have two separate configs. If using trivkins in the development version then the only change you need to make is from


to


(and also change about the [AXIS_Y] and [AXIS_A] sections to get the limits correct)

I have just done a very similar change with my vertical / horizontal milling machine so that one of the INI files swaps the Y and Z axes (while keeping the joint configs identical)

I work on specific diameters 8", 12" etc.

So I calculate the circumference for a specific diameter.

Then I create a profile in stepconfig and call it "8 diameter" where I divide my rotational resolution into the circumference.

Then I create my drawing in 2D and then just launch my machine with the correct diameter profile.

I think I have 3 diameter profiles and the "Flat" one. Takes a minute to set up but they are reusable and you will probably only need a few diameters for the majority of your work.

Good luck.

You don't need completely separate configs. You can share your HAL, tool table etc files between INI files. Just put as many INI files as you need in the same config folder.
Just make several slightly different INI files with different steps-per-mm to suit the different diameters.