1. Default Plane

When LinuxCNC’s interpreter was first written, it was designed for mills. That is why the default plane is XY (G17). A normal lathe only uses the XZ plane (G18). To change the default plane place the following line in the .ini file in the RS274NGC section.

RS274NGC_STARTUP_CODE = G18

The above can be overwritten in a g code program so always set important things in the preamble of the g code file.

2. INI Settings

The following .ini settings are needed for lathe mode in Axis in addition to or replacing normal settings in the .ini file. These historical settings use identity kinematics (trivkins) and three joints (0,1,2) corresponding to coordinates x,y,z. The joint 1 for the unused y axis is required but not used in these historical configurations. Simulated lathe configs may use these historical settings. Gmoccapy also uses the mentioned settings, but does offer additional settings, check the gmoccapy Section for details.

[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = axis
LATHE = 1
...

[KINS]
KINEMATICS = trivkins
JOINTS = 3

[TRAJ]
COORDINATES = X Z
...

[JOINT_0]
...
[JOINT_2]
...
[AXIS_X]
...
[AXIS_Z]
...

With joints_axes incorporation, a simpler configuration can be made with just the two required joints by specifying trivkins with the coordinates= parameter:

[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = axis
LATHE = 1
...

[KINS]
KINEMATICS = trivkins coordinates=xz
JOINTS = 2

[TRAJ]
COORDINATES = X Z
...

[JOINT_0]
...
[JOINT_1]
...
[AXIS_X]
...
[AXIS_Z]
...