controlling 5 axis milling machine - software

[Tomax]

Hi everyone,

I would need some suggestions about control software to use for 5 axis milling machine with 2 axis rotating head.
For now I am using mach3 bit it has a big disadvantage, in case I am running full 5 axis g-code, there is no kinematics implemented for tool length compensation, so now I am solving this with g-code which has already included kinematics, but that is time consuming in case of tool change etc...

I know for camsoft's solution, but it is a bit expensive for "home use" machine...

[mcphill]

Flashcut

[wendtmk]

EMC2.

Mark

[Tomax]

EMC2.

Mark

You maybe know for anyone who actually uses EMC2 on similar 5 axis milling machine?
A searched over the web for it, but there is not much information about that, even basics that I could believe this would work in my case.

[samco]

there are a few..





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGyxnafLbcw]CNC 5axis with EMC2.wmv - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF7C8d4d0nc]Homemade 5 axis machine, running EMC2, in XYZAB configuration - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjPCEpZybXs]5-Axis CNC Mill @ Hogeschool Antwerpen - YouTube

might want to join the mailing list and ask questions. I am no expert on kins..

sam

[wendtmk]

I was hoping Sam would jump in here.

Mark

[samco]

There is a 5 axis kins simulator in emc. (I have not played with it)

one thing that you can setup in the kins is UVW (the way I understand it) as xyz at the tool tip. So you can do drilling cycles and such using that.

Kins take some programming ability as you need to set the kins up to your machine. (something to think about)

the large 5 axis machine above in the video - he is actually using kins to correct out of squareness and sag.. Very powerful.

sam

[samco]

5-axis machining with emc

sam

[Tomax]

I will give a try to EMC2, looks very very promising!
I also contacted Falshcut via email, but no answer from them till now...

[Tomax]

So, it took me some time to get into, but it was worth ... EMC2 runs my machine, as I expected!

[samco]

Video!!!!

So, it took me some time to get into, but it was worth ... EMC2 runs my machine, as I expected!

[diegope]

hey tomax,

what machine did you actually build? i'm looking at buying a kit to assemble a 5 axis with a 2 axis rotating head....any suggestions?

thanks ,d