- 3-Axis
- Used in Cutting CNC machines
Introduction
One-line value prop: Clean, chip-free scoring with an auto-tangential C-axis, on-table sheet alignment, and integrated oil/air and breakout controls—nest in S-CAM, cut on the machine.
Who uses it: Architectural/flat-glass fabricators · furniture/appliance glass · shopfitters & small OEM lines.
Works with: X-Y gantry tables with a C-axis rotary cutting head (pneumatic wheel up/down, oiling) and optional breakout/peeling hardware.
Works with: 2-axis flat-bed plasma/oxy-fuel cutters (XY). Optional Z lifter for pierce-safe approach.
Compatible controllers: PC-SMART 4A / PC-SMART 3AS / PC-PRO LAN 4A
Supported files: DXF (via Radonix SimpleCAM) and standard G-code.
Machine & Kinematics
XY gantry + C-axis head keeps the wheel exactly tangential to the path—no angle programming needed.
Absolute/Relative X, Y, C readouts, Velocity (mm/s) display, Home / X0 / Y0 buttons, and per-axis V (mm/s) & L (mm) step boxes for precise jogging.
Table Up status, soft limits, and a gridded preview frame for quick visual checks.
Control & I/O
Outputs: Oil (G-OilPin), Blower, Z-Axis head Up/Down solenoid, Corner Jack Up/Down, Breaker bars 1–3.
Inputs: HomePin X/Y/C, Emergency, Z-Axis sensor, Corner Jack sensor, Foot Pedal (G-Pedal), optional Laser edge sensor.
Operator keys: Run / Pause / Reset, Speed 100% override slider, Blower and Peeling buttons, Frame / Auto Align tools.
Software & Workflow
SimpleCAM (S-CAM): define Sheets and Parts, set quantities and margins, Nest, Preview, choose feed (V mm/s) and Export to the interface.
On-machine: Open File, choose Sheet from the list, jog with X± / Y±, set X0/Y0, and (if needed) run Auto Align using the LaserSensor (SearchPrecision / SearchVelocity).
Start oil/air, confirm Z-AxisDelay, then Run; use Pause/Resume, Speed % override, and Peeling/Breaker helpers for controlled breakout.
Key Capabilities
(at a glance)
Key Capabilities(at a glance)
General: G54 reference, FeedStep / JogFeedStep, MaxFeed / MaxJogFeed, KeepLocation, ParkEnabled, SimpleDelay, TransformKeepLocation.
Glass: AnalogMin/Max/Value (oil/air level), LoaderUp/DownDelay (conveyor/loader timing), PedalTime, SadrDelay, ZAxisDelay, OneStageAlignEnabled, SearchPrecision/Velocity.
I/O Maps: InPorts (Home X/Y/C, Z sensor, Corner Jack, Pedal, Laser) · OutPorts (Blower, Breaker1-3, Corner Jack Up/Down, Oil, Z-Axis).
Standard Workflow
Auto-tangential C-axis orientation from DXF (no angle programming)
SimpleCAM nesting with sheet/part lists, preview and one-click export
Auto Align with laser edge sensor; Frame & X0/Y0 tools for quick setup
Integrated oil and air blower control; Z-Axis wheel up/down timing
Corner jack and breaker bar I/O for safe, repeatable breakout
Peeling (protective film) control, foot-Pedal support, Speed % override
Full safety: Home pins, Emergency input, status LEDs, soft limits
Typical Specifications
| Area | Spec |
|---|---|
| Axes / Modes | X, Y, C (tangential head) + pneumatic Z-axis up/down |
| Files | DXF via SimpleCAM, G-code |
| Setup | Home, X0/Y0, Auto Align (laser), Table Up status |
| Fluids/Air | Oil on/off (analog level), Blower control |
| Breakout | Corner Jack Up/Down, Breaker bars (1–3), Pedal timing |
| Feeds | Per-axis V (mm/s), step L (mm), global Speed override |
| Safety | Home/limit inputs, laser & Z sensors, Emergency |
General: G54 reference, FeedStep / JogFeedStep, MaxFeed / MaxJogFeed, KeepLocation, ParkEnabled, SimpleDelay, TransformKeepLocation.
Glass: AnalogMin/Max/Value (oil/air level), LoaderUp/DownDelay (conveyor/loader timing), PedalTime, SadrDelay, ZAxisDelay, OneStageAlignEnabled, SearchPrecision/Velocity.
I/O Maps: InPorts (Home X/Y/C, Z sensor, Corner Jack, Pedal, Laser) · OutPorts (Blower, Breaker1-3, Corner Jack Up/Down, Oil, Z-Axis).
Upgrade path
In the standard XYC Glass Cut interface, Z is not in the toolpath (it’s a pneumatic up/down).
If you need Z to be planned and controlled during motion, choose XYZC Glass Cutter.
What it adds: A servo Z axis that is included in the motion plan (X-Y-Z-C), maintaining constant score depth/standoff on uneven sheets.
How it works: Uses a laser/capacitive sensor or pre-scan mesh to modulate Z in real time; supports TargetGap/Force, Gain/Deadband, Corner-hold, SafeZ retract, and manual Z trim.
When to use: Wavy/warped glass, coated/laminated sheets, or processes that require precise depth control (e.g., deep scoring, seaming/grinding heads).
Benefits: Uniform score depth, fewer chips, cleaner breakouts, higher first-pass yield.
Key Features of Radonix CNC Software
🔹 Direct DXF Execution
Seamlessly load and execute DXF files without the need for G-code conversion — streamlining your workflow and reducing setup time.
🔹 Smart Component & Path Management
Select specific parts from complex drawings and customize cutting order with intuitive control over toolpath sequencing.
🔹 Interactive On-Screen Editing
Scale, rotate, and mirror parts directly within the interface — with live toolpath previews to ensure precision.
🔹 Flexible Part Placement
Manually drag and drop parts onto your material sheet to accommodate irregular shapes, pre-cut stock, or remnant reuse.
🔹 Advanced Pause Controls
Set up to three independent pause points — before the cut, during the cut, and after the cut — for manual checks or operational adjustments.
🔹 Reverse Cutting Mode
Execute toolpaths in reverse to minimize material warping or adjust final exit points based on design needs.
🔹 Simulation / Demo Run Mode
Perform a complete motion test without activating the torch. Ideal for verifying the toolpath before live cutting.
🔹 Design & nesting (SimpleCAM):
Add sheets/parts, nest, preview, and export to the machine in one step.
🔹Auto Reference (zero-point find):
Automatically sets X0/Y0 on the sheet using sensors—no manual probing.
🔹Auto Align (design ↔ workpiece):
Detects sheet edges/corners and rotates/shifts the program to match the actual placement.
🔹Conveyor integration:
Built-in I/O and timing for loaders/unloaders, with safety interlocks and up/down delays.
🔹Rotary Z-axis support:
Ready for machines with a servo Z (XYZC Glass Cutter+) to manage standoff/depth on uneven sheets..
🔹Analog pneumatic control:
Drives proportional valves to regulate cutting-wheel pressure (and oil/air) for clean, chip-free scores.
