continuouse 4th axis machining

[replicapro]

Here are the programs I have found so far.

Mastercam $BIG MONEY
Visual Mill 5.0 $4000
RamsGold $1095

Most software products I have found that list 4th Axis are "indexed" which is not really 4 axis machining.

Any one else have any to add?

[keithorr]

Most software products I have found that list 4th Axis are "indexed" which is not really 4 axis machining.

When do you need 4 axis interpolation?

[replicapro]

My knowledge of the different types of 4th axis machining is limited, so could you give me an example of what you mean.

Basically I want to mill 3d organic objects like a human head or something that would other wise be impractical to position and reposition manually. After speaking with a engineer at a software company today whos program only did indexing, he explained that I needed a program that did continuous 4th axis machining.
So the side mounted rotary table is constantly being moved to allow the cutting bit to enter at the most opportune angles for fastest and most accurate cutting.

[CrazyRonny]

Hi,

Some link to powerfull Cam software, Actually we use Surcam in 4 1/2 axis at my work. But it could do 5 axis like most of the one list below, but it's high $$$.


SurfCam
TopSolid/Cam
Esprit
Gibbs Cam
EdgeCam
SolidCam
CamWorks

CrazyRonny

[ger21]

Deskproto, http://www.deskproto.com But I think it only uses 3 axis at a time, either X,Y,Z, or X,Z,A. But it does do continuous rotary motion. Check out OneCNC.

[ger21]

And this free one, http://www.rainnea.com/cnc.htm

[whiteriver]

I use Visual Mill 5. For cutting a shape using the 4th axis indexing works fine. The only time i have ever used full 4th axis is with following splines on a model with a bit. Like spiral columns. Would like to find a better solution but you get what you can afford.

Donny

[keithorr]

Originally posted by replicapro My knowledge of the different types of 4th axis machining is limited, so could you give me an example of what you mean.

I don't see why you couldn't mill a 3d object (head, table leg etc.) using indexing. I can rotate an object in CAD/CAM and program to mill a 15 degree area in 3 axis using a mask or boundry, then index the horizontal rotary 15 degrees and mill another zone. The indexing can be in the g code.

I can't imagine any milling motion that would require four axis interpolation at one time.

If the program could write the code for you with some mouse clicks, that would be slick. There are work arounds that let you use most programs regardless of whether they are set up for 4 axis. It does require some strategic planning.

[c-c-cncboy]

Replicapro, if your email will accept a 2 or 3Mb PDF file, I'd be pleased to send you an e-book I have written on rotary 4th axis milling and scanning. You wanna do a human head? I did an entire archbishop. Managing undercuts and other hidden surfaces is covered by multiple cuts, using only 3 axes (X-Rotary-Z) simultaneously, but adopting fresh Y locations to cut again and again using fresh toolpaths from fresh scan data. Actually easier than it sounds. Regards,
Terrence

[replicapro]

thats very cool, id like to see it.
rob@replicaprops.com

[metlmunchr]

Milling a flame design into a custom motorcycle handgrip would require 4 axis simultaneous interpolation. There are thousands of different parts of all kinds made every day which require continuous contouring capability on the 4th axis, even though the machine may only be using linear motion in two axes while the coordinated rotation of the part takes place. Unless the part is faceted (has faces laying on specific angular planes) indexing is a poor substitute for continuous rotary motion.

[c-c-cncboy]

There ya go Rob, it's in your email inbox now
Terrence