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Would those in the group who plot Voyager trajectories for recreation be
able to offer a solution to a practical circular geometry problem.
An economical CNC engraver/router has been devised eliminating the usual linear slides and ball leadscrews that give conventional (and expensive) X and Y motion. The dial or plaque to be engraved is mounted on a rotating table with the engraving spindle mounted on a similar rotating disk above and exactly parallel to the dial The engraving spindle axis is offset from the disks own axis of rotation. By combining the rotations of the table and disk the toolbit can be made to
trace out any shape.
The two rotations would have a "home position" sensor and conventional Z
axis toolfeed.
Unfortunately most CAM programs output shapes as X and Y co-ordinates
either absolute or relative which are easily translated into incremental
movements by the leadscrews and their driving motors.
The proposed engraver would have work and tool steps
which would of course be angular not linear.
The mechanical construction challenge (for me) is dwarfed by envisaging the
formula for say a clock face with hour lines and an off centre key winding
hole.
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Title: Glacier
