CAM Recomendations for 4th Axis Use‏

[claytonread]

Hi, I thought I would ask this forum for any ideas....

I have a project which requires the use of a 4th axis to mill somthing thats non-circular and non symetrical. (http://www.tuatahiaxes.com/pics/089handles.jpg )

I have been using BobCAD in the past however the limitation of BobCAD is that it can only produce 4th Axis G-code on a circular path.

Does anyone have any recomendations for CAM software that will be usefull for this?

Cheers,
Clayton

[Superman]

Most CAM systems that use a solid or a surface to drive the toolpath calcs should be able to do this

ie your "Axe handle" would rotate around an axis, the tool would move up & down as this axis rotates ( some software can actually put the tool off centre line to utilize the outer cutting edges instead of the toolpoint ( say a ballnose cutting at zero diameter ))

BodCAD is the lower end of the scale, you need a mid price range product at the minimum.

Mastercam is at the higher end, because it has stronger capabilities / more options that can be purchased

If you go towards Mastercam, get more info on what choices/options that would be needed before purchase. Also look into the long term, can it grow with my future needs, can I add options as I get better. And, of course, look at $$$ ( what it costs now, and what other additional costs on a yearly basis ), updates to keep current software can be a financial drain hole. So chose carefully, get the dealers to showcase the software, and ask for DEMOS so you can play & do stuff.

[mfgbydesign]

Looks like axe handles. surface machine one side leaving tabs off the ends, flip it over & machine the other side, remove the tabs. no 4th axis required.