New CNC Mill on the horizon

[JAZZCNC]

I don't even like people talking about front and side - I'm not sure which is which! I'm sure opinions differ... For me, the long axis is X and short, gantry, axis is Y.

Easy really.! Side is when gantry is running side to side. Front is when Gantry is running away and towards you.

If stood in front then you want the Axis which runs across the Gantry to be called (X Axis) and the Gantry moving away/towards you (Y axis) This way you retain the Cartaisian coordinate system with X0,Y0 in bottom left corner.

There is No right or Wrong only preference. Mostly based on where you stand or view.

[Neale]

Side is when gantry is running side to side.

That's why I find this whole front/side business confusing - should that have said when gantry is running front to back, that is, left to right? I call the long side of my machine the front because that is where I stand to use it. Doubt if it makes sense to anyone else, as it's because of the layout of my workshop. But I strongly agree that it's just a matter of preference, and what is absolutely vital is that x0,y0 is at the lh corner nearest you, so the bed looks just like the virtual sheet of paper you draw on in your CAD programme. If you don't, you are going to confuse yourself every time you try to set up a new piece of work. I've ended up with x0,y0 at the far right-hand corner of my 3D printer and I get mildly baffled every time I use it. I should just turn it through 180 deg, but I'm too lazy to shunt everything around to do it.

[JAZZCNC]

That's why I find this whole front/side business confusing - should that have said when gantry is running front to back, that is, left to right? I call the long side of my machine the front because that is where I stand to use it.

Well it's down to how we typicly define a router I suppose.!! Look at any picture of a router, DIY or Industrial and 99% will show it looking length ways down the narrow view of machine directly facing the gantry. This facing the gantry would be classed as the Front and the Gantry would move away and towards you.

If your stood facing the long side you'll be looking side ways down gantry length and it would indeed move left to right or side to side as I put it.