More independent axes, which firmware?

Hi,

I built a mill turn center with more than 8 axes in 2016. I use an azteeg board (with 8 stepper drivers) to control it, running repetier host firmware.


The problem is that you can only control 4 axes at a time in the gcode. For example,

G1 X2 Y3 Z4 E5

would move the X,Y,Z, and E axes at the same time.
I currently have to switch to my extra axes as if they are extra extruders, which means I can only control one extra axis at a time. I need to be able to control multiple axes past the initial XYZ at the same time.

I also need to be able to HOME the extra axes to default positions so I don't have to manually zero them every time I start the machine.


Are there any firmwares that allow this functionality? I write all of my gcode by hand for the machining operations, so toolpath software/slicing is not an issue.
I can also modify the firmware to a limited extent, but I'm not an expert programmer.

The picture below shows 7 of the 8 axes that the machine has, you can understand why I need to be able to control them independently.

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I manufacture multi-extrusion hotends.
www.polystroooder.com

I know that RepRapFirmware supports more axes and also understands commands like G1 X2 Y3 Z4 E5:0.22:0.123 to run three extruders simultaneously. Not sure if there is any slicer out there to generate such code?

The standard build of RepRapFirmware for the Duet WiFi supports up to 6 axes (X Y Z U V W) and up to 7 extruders, subject to a limit of 10 axes + extruders. The axes can all be homed independently.

It would be possible to rebuild the firmware to allow more than 6 axes.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2017 05:15PM by dc42.

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Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].

Aww I wish I would have known about this before I bought the board I'm using now. The hardware is fine but unfortunately I can't run the reprap firmware on the Azteeg board.

I guess I'll have to wait a while until I have time to rewire everything on the mill turn center, then buy the duet and the expansion board.

Thanks for telling me about this!

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I manufacture multi-extrusion hotends.
www.polystroooder.com

What stepper motors and stepper drivers do you use?

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Large delta printer [miscsolutions.wordpress.com], E3D tool changer, Robotdigg SCARA printer, Crane Quad and Ormerod

Disclosure: I design Duet electronics and work on RepRapFirmware, [duet3d.com].