Addendum- on your third question on side cutting- there are several other threads/posts on that subject. Just search for them, it works very well.
There is no requirement that cuts be rotary with a creeping linear axis. They can go either way, or be helix. Its fully programmable if you know what you are doing.
For getting started, buy Aspire. It handles most of the options with very little effort.
Enough said.
D
"The best thing about building something new is either you succeed or learn something. Its a win-win situation."
--Greg Westbrook