Reply with QuoteMeshCAM can do indexed cutting, but you'll need a real Y axis and a rotary A axis. But it's cheap. Also look at Deskproto.
3D carving machnine idea?
I've got an idea I've been kicking around.
I want to carve foam statues (mostly people).
Rather then the typical 3 axis setup I'm thinking of a design layout that has a rotary axis for the y. The Y axis because it is rotary rather then linear so it would allow carving all the way around (think totem pole carving)
I can see this machine being used to copy a statue by fitting the z axis with a touch probe to scan and then simply run the gathered info back with a spindle. The scale could also change with no problems.
So... I've got a machine that can copy stuff but what if wanted to design something in cad and machine it? Y axis runs on polar geometry.
Any relatively cheap programs that can deal with polar geometry?
I've got Bob Cad up to V 23 but I think it's strickly linear xyz.
Any thoughts?
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Is a sentance fragment?
MeshCAM can do indexed cutting, but you'll need a real Y axis and a rotary A axis. But it's cheap. Also look at Deskproto.
Gerry
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This was done back in the late 1970's/early 1980's. Demonstrated at IMTS.
They had a router on a vertical post and a copy probe on a set up similar to your idea.
The subject was rotated on a table with a probe displacing horizontally. After each rotation, the probe displaced vertically and repeated. Basically a duplicator. The data from the probe was recorded digitally while the router reproduced the subject in a block of graphite in real time.
Pretty heady stuff for the time, eh?
Dick Z
DZASTR
This isn't really 3D, with this program you can swap a linear axis, with a rotary axis. I havn't tried the program, but a few guys on the vectric forums have, the results look really good.
The program name is "CncWrapper" ($20), If you search the vectric forums, Andrew (wrote the program) had posted a free version, in one of his older threads.
Free DXF - vectorink.com
"Any relatively cheap programs that can deal with polar geometry?"
Just use normal point/vector cutter centerline (clfile) output X,Y,Z,I,J,K,F
And a postprocessor to convert to any machine comfiguration.
Been doing this too long
Not sure exactly what you mean. Can you elaborate please?Originally Posted by bostosh
I've got a three axis mill running Mach 3, Bobcad 21/23
Are you saying I would need to write a post to do the conversion from linear to rotory (polar)?
Is a sentance fragment?
MadCAM, a CAM-plugin for Rhino can do this.
The downside with having your idea is that you cannot mill the center of the head if it has an area that is covered, for example if there's a hat on the head. But if you're ok with doing some hand shaping just go for it. On the other hand, by making a fourth axis (rotational milling head) you can reach it all. It makes the machine a little more advanced but still doable. MadCAM can still handle the machine.
Here is a more advanced way of your idea.
"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjMJOfCyDaA"]YouTube - Sculpting a Large Bust of Bethoven
EDIT: On the other hand, if you always base the statue on a given diameter, it shouldn't matter if the axis is straight or rotating. It's just a matter of doing some math before setting up the machine.
