5-axis machining

[Dan B]

We are researching the purchase of a 5-axis machine. I'm fishing here for anything positive or negative regarding 5 axis machines and/or machining.

Thanks in advance,

Dan

[9566317]

I have lots of cnc machines (23) but no 5 axis machines.
Unless you have a need for 5 axis and have programers and setup people that are familiar with 5 axis and jobs that must be done on 5 axis I would be shy of them. most people I know with them
are not realy happy about the costs of them.

[hardmill]

I have extensive experience w/ set-ups on 5-axis mills
its all about the programming. If you got a good programmer
(exper'd w/ 5axis) thats most of your battle.
They are by nature not very strong machines, if you can
tool it up right a 4-axis horz. is IMO the way to go.
You can always add a rotary table to achieve your 5th.
If you need anymore input e-mail me, i'd be happy to help.
Peace

[Dan B]

Hi 9566317,

We have 3 axis machines too. We do need 5 axis as most of our jobs warrant it. We have multiple set-up on pretty much every job we cut, and compound angle holes too. Right now we do 3+2 programming using an angled picker-head, but this obviously has limitations. Not being able to set the head accurately enough prevents us from drilling with it. As for the cost, we are prepared to deal with that.

Hi Hardmill,

We currently are familiar with positional (3+2) programming as I mentioned above. This should be able to get us by to start with, right? The continuous 5-axis programming could be figured out later. Realistically, positional 5-axis would probably be all we ever need. I'll look into the 4 axis option as you suggested.

Thanks

Dan

[CHAD]

IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE A 4TH AXIS , MAKE SURE YOU GET ONE THAT HAS A LOCKING BRAKE .NOT JUST AN INDEXER (LIKE A HAAS, YES CHEAP, BUT WILL WORK)THIS IS A FAR MORE ACCURATE AND RIGID SET-UP, AND WILL REPEAT. JUST KEEP YOUR BACKLASH CONSISTENT.

[Dan B]

Thanks Chad. We have been looking at the Haas trunion tables. They would work well for detail work, but not suitable for assemblies (size and weight limitations). Ideally we would like to be able to assemble our raw blocks on the base and cut the whole thing , including undercuts and compound holes, all from a common pick-up.

To get an idea of what I'm referring to, check out some of our fixtures.

http://www.avgauge.com/photopage.html

Dan

[CHAD]

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE DECKLE-MAHO MACHINES THEY LOOK LIKE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.I AHVE REEARCHED THEM A LITTLE, AND THEY SEEM TO BE THE CAT'S ASS. CHECK OUT THEIR WEB SITE.
http://www.deckel-maho.de/

[Dan B]

Hi Chad,

Yes we have looked at these. They seem to be great machines. The size we are looking for will run us $1,200,000 Canadian. We're keeping it as an option, but hoping to find something closer to $750,000. We may be heading up to Toronto Ont. this week to see a demo.
Have you ever heard of Breton? We looked at a Breton Matrix 800K16 yesterday. Looks pretty impressive for around the price we are looking at.

Dan

[HuFlungDung]

I can imagine how much a person would need top notch software to use 5 axis. What would you use?

[Dan B]

WorkNc. Currently it has 3+2 capability, but continuous 5-axis should be available in a few months. I was talking to someone yesterday who is beta testing the new 5-axis capabilities of WorkNc and they were quite impressed. Since we will be getting it at no additional charge (because we pay our annual maintainence fee) I don't intend to look at anything else.

Dan

[hardmill]

Hey dan
You may want the 4axis route and adding yourself
a 5th to it. It should not only be cheaper but you'll
get a much stronger machine. If you like i have contacts
w/ a couple machine tool disttibutors.

[Dan B]

Hi Steve,

I'll take any info you can give me. Feel free to e-mail me at dan@avgauge.com

Thanks

Dan