CNC 4th Axis at work

[Lee Roberts]

Hey,

Just found this video of a 4th axis in action, i liked the design he was cutting and also think its a good example of what you could do if you went for a 4th axis !


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-RzYjSPzP4

Is anyone looking to add a 4th axis or ?

Lee

[BillTodd]

Is that a 4th axis or merely a rotary X or Y?

[John S]

Is that a 4th axis or merely a rotary X or Y?

?????? Sorry can you explain the difference ?

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[BillTodd]

?????? Sorry can you explain the difference ?

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I was expecting to see 4 axes in motion.

[John S]

Here's one I did earlier :dance:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fps0OR1eF_s

Ignore the dancing about, the X3 was on a transport stand ready to go to the 2006 Harrorgate show and the castors were not locked down.

This is another gear but instead of being done on a rotary table or 4th axis this one is just done in X, Y and Z fixed in a chuck bolted to the table.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV8Dq6mslnE

The model came out of a CAD parts file off the web as an STL file, programmed in Vectric's Cut3D and cut with a 2mm ball nose cutter.
The video shows the final clean up pass in the opposite direction to remove some of the cutter marks.

It could have been a lot better if I had reduced to stepover but as I'd not done one before I didn't want to waste a lot of cutting time if it didn't work.

Never got round to doing a finer pass gear and some bastard nicked that one anyway [ probably Kip :whistling: ]

Spiral helicals are one of the hardest type of gear to cut and a one off can take well over a day to cut in a home shop.

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[BillTodd]

Yup that's a 4th axis alright...didn't think much to the "action"....it was cutting fresh air!

When is a 4th axis not a 4th axis...now that is the question :D

When there's only 3 axes moving! (else I'll claim by engraver is a 9 axis machine - 'cos I've yet to build the other 6! )

[edit] Just remembered it has a unused 4th axis already so only 5 to build ;)

[tribbles]

Out of interest, is there a general thread for CNC videos?

[Lee Roberts]

Out of interest, is there a general thread for CNC videos?

No not as such, we do have a Video Gallery (http://www.mycncuk.com/forums/video.php) but it hasnt been used that much. I add video's as i find them, your more then welcome.

[adscnc]

On the subject of axis'sss whats the diference between 2.5d and 3d ?

[John S]

Rough difference.
2.5 D is where the Z axis drops to a predetermined depth and the shape is produced in X and Y whilst at this depth. X and Y can work together like doing a circle and it's called interpolation.

Typical example is doing a pocket down to 10mm deep in stages of 2mm at a time.

3D is where the Z axis is changing all the time as the X and Y are moving, imagine machining the aerofoil section on a plane wing.

Virtually all machines with a powered Z can do 2.5D and 3D, the difference is in the CAM software to generate the code.

2.5D is relatively cheap but full 3D starts to get very expensive.

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[adscnc]

So the router tables being built here and run with mach3 are all 2.5d ?

[John S]

No they can be either.
It all depends on the code they are fed.

Mach is capable of 3D linear moves.

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[adscnc]

So the trick is generating the code. .. ands that's what cadcam does?

[adscnc]

I have some g code experience as i have an old Ikegai lathe with a fanuc 6t control on. Also used a mini mill but only as a production machine. Never got the chance to play with it and its now gone.

Would like to build a plasma / router combo 4' x 4' . Have been watching Tribbles link with great interest. Would that convert to plasma ?

I have a decent work shop with a bridgeport vertical mill ( manual) TIG and MIG so have got the gear. Pretty good with PC's but limited electrical experience. Also know my way around solid works.

I guess i'm just trying to convince myself to "have a go"!

Al

[irving2008]

I have some g code experience as i have an old Ikegai lathe with a fanuc 6t control on. Also used a mini mill but only as a production machine. Never got the chance to play with it and its now gone.

Would like to build a plasma / router combo 4' x 4' . Have been watching Tribbles link with great interest. Would that convert to plasma ?

I have a decent work shop with a bridgeport vertical mill ( manual) TIG and MIG so have got the gear. Pretty good with PC's but limited electrical experience. Also know my way around solid works.

I guess i'm just trying to convince myself to "have a go"!

AlYou have more than enough to get started! And we are all here to help!

[John S]

You can't have a decent workshop if you have a Bridgeport :whistling:

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