4th Axis with CamBam?

[dirtdiggler]

Hey Guys,

I'm a newbie to CamBam and so far I am very impressed.

I see that the newest release has some great 3D profiling features.

So, how does the 3D toolpath accuracy and performance compare to softwares like: MeshCam and Cut3D? The reason I ask is because these programs are in a similar price range that offer 3D milling from an STL file.

What I like about CamBam is having both 2.5D and 3D profiling under the same suite.

So that leads me to the next question: how difficult is it to make 3D profile toolpaths for more than two sides of an object in CB? For instance, make 6 sides of an object for use with an index table at different increments. Is there a way to do this?

[10bulls]

Hello there!

I can't speak for MeshCam and Cut3D - they are certainly both well regarded. I would recommend you try the demo versions of each (before coming back to CamBam ).

I would say that the latest 3D machining operations in CamBam are very new and thus not as well tested and refined as the 2.5D operations, which are CamBam's biggest strength. However new CamBam releases appear regularly and improving 3D performance is certainly high on the development list.

I have been contemplating trying some 'manual' 4th axis objects myself.
It is certainly possible. The current 3D routines support a front face and a back face option. To do other directions, you would need to copy the mesh and apply a rotation transformation.
My idea was to machine a pair of hexagon plates, with registration marks (pin holes) on each edge. The stock would be mounted between these plates, then machined and the plates rotated between each 'face'.

Then I figured it may be time better spent setting up a proper 4th (rotary) axis on the machine. The same toolpath tactic could be used, and gcode added to each machining operation footer to rotate the axis for the next 'face'.
Although not a high priority, I would like to add proper 4th axis toolpath support to CamBam at some point so this method would perhaps be a bit of encouragement to get that underway.

[dirtdiggler]

Hi 10bulls,

That's exciting to hear. Right now I have a vertical rotary table I use to manually to turn the stock but I plan on fitting a stepper to it eventually to automat it. Maybe I will give it a try with 'Rotation transformation' as you said.

You have a winner with CamBam. Thanks for your feedback!

Kirk