Need Help!- 4th axis design software

[archerboy]

Hi, I'm just about to take delivery of a new plasma table with a rotary 4th axis for cutting tubes. Does any know the best software for creating vector paths on the surface of the tube? ie mapping a design around the tube. I want to able to cut out text that 'wraps' the entire tube 360 degrees. Rhino has 'project' and 'Pull' but these techniques don't seem to offer any full 360 mapping of vectors.
Grateful for any help in the right direction.
Archerboy

[yohudi]

Originally Posted by archerboy Does any know the best software for creating vector paths on the surface of the tube? ie mapping a design around the tube. I want to able to cut out text that 'wraps' the entire tube 360 degrees. Rhino has 'project' and 'Pull' but these techniques don't seem to offer any full 360 mapping of vectors. Grateful for any help in the right direction. Archerboy

Hi there,

gmax / CNC_Toolkit is a FREE solution that will perform this exact task extremely well... even has tools to assist in forming a 'Text Ring' to apply around the object...

See the link below for info, links to some examples etc..

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...232#post669232

Hope this helps

Danny

[mcphill]

BobCAD-CAM does 4th axis wrapping.

[fabconv]

hi
definitively: solidworks

[asuratman]

Hello archerboy,
When you order plasma table with a rotary 4th axis for cutting tubes, no software is provided? or they make recommendation to a software? What brand your plasma table? Thanks.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by archerboy Hi, I'm just about to take delivery of a new plasma table with a rotary 4th axis for cutting tubes. Does any know the best software for creating vector paths on the surface of the tube? ie mapping a design around the tube. I want to able to cut out text that 'wraps' the entire tube 360 degrees. Rhino has 'project' and 'Pull' but these techniques don't seem to offer any full 360 mapping of vectors. Grateful for any help in the right direction. Archerboy

Take a look at Madcam for Rhino. It now has a follow curve for the 4th axis module that should do what you are needing. I have not personally used the along curve feature so I cannot truly comment on it. There is a UK reseller that should be able to help you. I know you can get a 30 day or more unlocked trial version to test on real parts. Email Joakim at Madcam directly for that!

Mike