I thought about that as well since I'm sure that I would eventually want to machine something that wasn't round (what are the odds, right?).
I think with my layout, if I were to make a mill table which bolts directly to the top of the cradle and spans the distance across the rotary head, it would still allow my XYZ as well as the rocking axis.
Combined with a large enough X travel, I should be able to use most of the distance of the cradle lengthwise for milling.
Thanks for your input Jfettig, I wish more would join in.
As far as the software side of it, I would be willing to plunk down a decent amount of money for a good CAM setup, if I could pull of the machine for less than an arm and both legs. I plan to use EMC for the machine control as it will support up to 6 axes. I can use the last axis to drive the VFD and control spindle speed as well.
My gears are turning so fast I can't even draw in SW fast enough to keep up. I have more napkins laying around...my wife keeps throwing them away :/
Jim  |