check this site out.....
http://www.rainnea.com/cnc_5axis.htm

Do you have to make your own software to run this 5 axis machine? How do you manually program axis in a CAM program? Does anyone know of this?

-Tei

Tei -
Some software will accomodate 8 or even 12 axes! MACH2 will do 8 as I recall - but ya gotta get access to enuf pins - some may need a second parallel port to get all that capability -- others are using hardware specific solutions to get there.
BTW like your site - lookin' forward to your continued endevors - health, chem, etc!
:cheers: Jim

High Seas if I might gently correct you :o .....Mach2 has 6 axis as well as some others and Ability Systems has 8. This link is to a fellow who has written some software for running the machine and at one time was posting here on the Zone pretty regular.

I think, but am not sure, that he is also doing something with Mach2 and his software to make it work together easily. Don't hold me to that.

Mike

Some 5fth axis software
http://www.rainnea.com/cnc_toolkit.htm

Wow. Wow. Cool!

Thanks for the info everyone. That screen shot of the CNC toolkit is pretty impressive. The control of the axis shouldn't be to hard is the design of the toolpaths that I was wondering about. How is it that a comuter program can determine the angle of entry that the endmill makes in the work. I guess that I'll just have to delve into some more complex algorithms :(

-Tei

PS. Thanks for the kinds words about my site High Seas. I will continue to update it regularly

Nice 5 axis machine

Any chance of a close-up of the fourth and fifth axes so that we can appreciate the systems used? And perhaps also borrow the best bits ;-)

http://www.rainnea.com/cnc_5axis.htm

As well as the head you'll need the MAX and CNC_Toolkit skills to run it...

Part 1 and 2 of a brand new detailed user guide for CNC_Toolkit are out TODAY.. available as a free download from the yahoo group in my sig.. I made the guide..

Rab Gordon, the creator of CNC_Toolkit has contributed suggestions and has approved the distribution. Part 3 covering the deployment and use of multi-axis rotary configurations is currently being developed and tested...

If you have any interest in CNC_Toolkit then it's worth a read, feel free to pick up copy...

ttfn

Danny (aka Yohudi)

:confused:Some 5fth axis software
http://www.rainnea.com/cnc_toolkit.htm

This site is down, have an alternative address?

:confused:

This site is down, have an alternative address?

Hi there,

Rainneas site worked fine for me... but you can also find out info at the yahoo user support group.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNC_Toolkit/

Nice work guys..

Can someone tell me where you can get a 4th/5th axis head from?

cheers

Frans

Nice work guys..

Can someone tell me where you can get a 4th/5th axis head from?

cheers

Frans


There's a guy by the name of Colin in NZ that makes a beautiful set. Here is his link: http://www.doughtydrive.com/

Mike

There's a guy by the name of Colin in NZ that makes a beautiful set. Here is his link: http://www.doughtydrive.com/

Mike
Still under construction Termite?????

Still under construction Termite?????

ratrace2....a termite is a destructive bug.....but a turmite is something else all together!:D:D

Actually Colin has set a few of the heads out for beta testing and found a minor problem requiring an upgrade in one of the compontents. I have been in contact with him in the past month and he is supposed to let me know as soon as the upgrade is tested sufficiently. I am hopefully going to get a setip from him late spring or early summer.

Mike

:)Turmite, (no e)
let me know when colin gets the heads working.....

Hi there,

I've been fortunate enough to have Colin send me one of his prototypes.. they are the business and make no mistake about it.. Last I heard he was in planning a relocation

There's some images of the prototype set up as an A Axis on my machine in Yohudi's build log.. I can never remember the link.. There's some spec details and a couple of images of the production unit and Colin's most recent 5 axis setup using it on my website at the link below.. Colin sent me the spec info when I was making the page at the site... neatest 2 axis head you'll find anywhere.. and excellent spec.. oh and almost forgot.. if you check out You tube theres a few videos of the units in action.. I've got the links somewhere if you can't find it with a search..

Edit: found the links to the vids...

4th : YouTube - 5 axis cnc routed half round

4th and 5th: YouTube - 5 axis cnc routed Pineapple file

http://cnc4free.org

you want the projects page at the site and the rotary drives button

also re: CNC_Toolkit...

I've just uploaded an update to the FREE guide to using the toolkit.. on the tutorials page of the site... now covers 4 axis usage.. got the thumbs up from Rab re the content over the weekend.. also some pics of the way it works in gmax when using an A Axis... see the gallery area of the website. Will be adding 5 axis use to the guide as soon as I reconfig my machine...

hope this helps

Danny (aka Yohudi)

A few years back, one of the members posted a site/address that had some of these surplus satellite rotators available.
That source has long since "dried up." But I have found an alternate site -- and the price is better than before. Now listing at under 50 bucks a drive. The one I got is in "nearly new" condition - and includes the complete cable harness -- with the original limit switch still mounted -- so an extra bonus. There are over 60 left when I last looked.

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1635

Not associated - but thought others that might be interested could jump on the opportunity. You'd most likely use a stepper or servo. But the drives might be useful for other projects as well.