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Sub $300 4th Axis, Necessary Mods & Cover |
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To escape the expense of the popular
MicroARC, I
have owned this 4th axis for a couple years: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B2RTBGZ Along with the required driver: https://tormach.com/4th-axis-drive-and-screw-kit-m-mx-38954.html ^-- You can also buy an Amazon driver for way less. Naturally, for 1/10th the cost comes 10x the work (maybe twice the work). Upon boot, PathPilot expects one of their 4th axes, which have their own settings. This one is, of course, different and requires modifying OEM PathPilot files. So, after you're all installed and you go to command a 360° rotation, you'll note you only get about 280°. The scaling is wrong. This plugin takes care of that (full description here). Also, annoyingly, this 4th axis leaves the pulleys and belts unprotected. The following files are models of a decent cover I made:
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