Hi Folks,

I am contemplating my first manual to CNC lathe conversion.

I more or less understand the requirements for basic X & Y axis motion, however, I have not figured out what needs to be done to cut threads on a lathe.

I suspect that the spindle needs some kind of rotation sensor, but would that be simply to sense RPM or would it need to be more along the lines of a full rotary encoder of some type, so that MACH3 knows the exact rotational position.

Can this be achieved without getting into the initial extra expense of a motion controller.

Thanks