I have decided to extend the "Egyptian pyramid CNC" approach. I am writing a set of perl modules that would give simple instructions to human mill operators (move this handle, that handle, adjust backlash, etc).
Since I am not really limited by anything (I would operate the mill manually), I want these modules to take advantage of the fact that I have three linear axes, quill depth, and rotary table. If I am not mistaken, that means that I have a five axis motion.
The lowest level would be concerned with keeping track of X, Y, Z, depth of quill, and rotary table angle. (and computing cutter position relative to the part, based on these coordinates).
It would also output instructions (turn handle such and such etc). This is not simple for a variety of reasons (concerned with human nature of the operator since there is a need to account for possible distraction and resumption of work, I will explain later).
The higher level would compute the curve that the cutter should follow in order to mill a given surface (or line in 2d context). (the cutter has a radius).
This would basically let me create easy to follow milling instructions.
Good comments could be made that there is software that does something similar. I would like to be able to perhaps interface my modules to some cad systems like brlcad or some such.
I do think that even if my work is a duplication of something that exists, there is some value of it to me. So I will make steps in this direction, with particular interest given to proper use of rotary table. (milling circles is much more easily done, with higher quality, on a rotary table -- the circle I made was for illustration only)
As a bonus, I will try to write them so that I can plug in some sort of G code module for output rather than a human output.
i