4-axis CAM

[itsme]

Hi there,

I have a small 3 axis mill and I am looking at adding a 4th axis, as it will make life A LOT easier for a lot of the parts that I want to make (no more having to turn parts over manually...).

Getting the 4th axis is no problem, but finding software to generate code for it is. It is the usual old story of the software costing more than the machine. I know about the 'expensive' packages, but they really aren't suitable for home use, because of the prohibitive cost. I know that there are packages available for 3 axes that are quite reasonable (like less than £150) and do a pretty good job, but I just can't find anything like that for 4 axes.

Are there any 4 axis CAM packages around that have reasonable functions, but don't cost a fortune? Continuous 4 axis machining would be nice, but even something that can just index with the 4th axis would do.

Am I just going to end up editing all my 3 axis code to suit 4 axes with indexing?

Thanks
Warren

[ger21]

I think for what you want to do, you're looking at at least $1500. The only alternative might be the free CNC Toolkit, http://www.rainnea.com/cnc_toolkit.htm.

Sometime in the future, MeshCAM will have 4th axis support, but I don't think it will do what you want. Deskproto is the same thing, but more money.

[itsme]

Hi ger21,

Thanks for the reply. It seems like I'll be doing my own code for 4 axes.

I've looked at Deskproto and from what I have seen it seems like it will do what I want, but once again, the price is not right. I guess to start off with, I can just generate 3 axis code for different sides of the object and then join all these bits up (adding the indexing in between) to form the code.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a reasonably good, cheap, 4-axis, hobby-orientated CAM package lurking somewhere? Maybe oneday...

Regards
Warren

[ger21]

If Deskproto will work, then MeshCAM should as well. The current V2 beta might already have indexing in there. You might want to check it out.

[JFettig]

If your just indexing, you dont necessarily need a cam package, either write the code by hand or write 2 parts with 2 fixture offsets and combine the code with a move like G0 A180 or something like that.

Jon

[turmite]

While it isn't here yet, the link that Ger gave in his post above is a good place to look. Rab is in the beginnings of making Toolkit a for fee program and model his marketing and support after Art Fenerty of Mach1/2/3/4 fame.

Rab has stated that his intention is to have a full 5 axis cam system affordable for the hobbiest. $150 with free upgrades. I posted on his Yahoo forum last night and ask him if it would help if those that wanted the program pre-pay. I am more than willing to invest that kind of money and have to wait a good while knowing that it will be worth the wait.

Now to your current problem. I use 4 axis on rifle stocks and for the longest I made the part in Bobcad 17, sometimes with the help of Rhino for some of the harder modeling. I then seperate the model into 4 seperate files and make gcode fron each section always starting a 0,0,0 and ending there on each seperate program. I then edit the part add whatever rotation I need in manually and viola, I have a 4th axis program. I got smart though and have now been using Dustin from Dab Design to take my wireframes, finish my model and write my gcodes. If the parts are small he also has a digitizer. Great guy and good pricing.

The attached pic is a sample of a part that Dustin helped me with.

Mike

[Andy NC]

AlphaCAM does the lot.

Indexing, Rotary and Simultaneous - but at £6k list its probably out of your price bracket. There is a graduate version available for free which does everything except produce NC code. Your files, however, could be converted by your local college (if they have an AlphaCAM education master station)

One final alternative is to rent AlphaCAM Online via their website www.alphacam.com You still need training and a post processor though !

If you find 4-axis capability for less than about £3k I would be careful about parting with your money.

Andy