Problems milling this model

[mark84]

Hi, last year in a moment of madness I bought several 3d models.
I haven't even attempted this one
https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/jewelry/pendants/silver-pendant-god-odin
As at first glance I thought it would be easy, however on closer inspection I noticed the detailing down the sides of the helmet (check out pic 2/5, I'm not interested in the pendant part).
It has me stumped, I toyed with the idea of milling it and just simply filling in these parts with milliput to make them a solid band before taking a mould but thought I'd check with the experts to see if there's any other solutions.
Thanks as always, Mark

[m_c]

That would need a 4th and probably 5th axis to machine those details as per the model.

You could probably get near with some kind of indexing, but creating the required code to machine it would then likely be a problem.

It's the kind of model where I'd be looking at a resin 3D printer, then using that as a pattern for creating a mould and casting.

[mark84]

Thanks for the reply, his beard is more 3 axis friendly than it appears, annoying with his hat though. I might just mill it and try and fix it by hand I guess!

[Muzzer]

With the paid for version of Fusion 360 you can do indexed 4th axis. Another 4th axis option with true rotary toolpaths would be Deskproto - I looked at this but have to admit I haven't used it in anger. https://www.deskproto.com/

But as you don't have a 4th axis (yet!), I guess you will have to go 3 axis and make compromises.

[mark84]

Thanks, it's a shame, I'm not massive on 3d printers, always feel a bit disappointed with quality compared to router.

[m_c]

Thanks, it's a shame, I'm not massive on 3d printers, always feel a bit disappointed with quality compared to router.

It depends on what your requirements.
Most 3D printers are FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) aka use rolls of filament, which is pretty good for large items, but isn't ideal for smaller items where you want a lot of detail. It is doable, and I've produced some pretty good models, but it's a slow process. The major benefit is you can print with a wide selection of materials, without any specialist equipment.

With a Resin printer, they use a UV/Photoelectric system to cure a pot of resin, adding a thin layer at a time to the model. The big benefit is layers are a lot thinner than FDM, giving far better details, but it uses specialist resins, and models require excess resin washed off.

If I could justify it, I'd like to try a Creality LD printer as the small ones aren't that expensive (~£150), but I've got enough toys to play with just now, and my Ender 3 does everything I need at the moment.

[magicniner]

With the paid for version of Fusion 360 you can do indexed 4th axis. Another 4th axis option with true rotary toolpaths would be Deskproto - I looked at this but have to admit I haven't used it in anger. https://www.deskproto.com/

But as you don't have a 4th axis (yet!), I guess you will have to go 3 axis and make compromises.

Not so! I used to do indexed 4 axis work on a 3 axis machine with work held in a square Stevensons ER40 Collet Block in the vice.