CAM Software for lathes

[El$syd]

Not my definition but industry definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2.5D_%28machining%29



So it is 2.5D

Phil

Reading that wiki definition is still not clear!

e.g.
This statement in wiki is very clear - In machining, 2.5D refers to a surface which is a projection of a plane into 3rd dimension - although the object is 3-dimensional, there are no overhanging elements possible.
This statement in wiki is confusing - A 2.5D machine possesses the capability to translate in all three axes but can perform the cutting operation only in two of the three axes at a time.

It seems to be saying that a 2.5D machine can only cut with 2 axes in operation, and the third fixed.
Yet the first statement indicates that it can cut at full 3D as long as there are no overhangs.

I'm probably misunderstanding - but feel the definition could be clearer.

[John S]

Aahh.... It seems there is another Easymill - the one I was referring to was www.easymill.com (French) or www.easymill.co.uk (English).
That one does do 4 and 5 axis in 2.5D.

How can you do 4 and 5 axis in 2.5D ?

If you can't get the facts correct what credibility do you have ?

To do 4 / 5 axis the program has to have the ability to work with A and B axis, can Easymill do this

[El$syd]

How can you do 4 and 5 axis in 2.5D ?

If you can't get the facts correct what credibility do you have ?

To do 4 / 5 axis the program has to have the ability to work with A and B axis, can Easymill do this

Yes Easymill can rotate parts in 4 and 5 axes - but not while cutting.

I am surprised by your response - you say 'what credibility do you have ?' yet you do not explain what you mean - from my web research there seems to be confusion between rotation axes and 2D/2.5D/3D.

And more specifically a great deal of confusion as to what constitutes 2.5D!


With Easymill as far as I am aware the axis is rotated but doesn't cut while rotating.
When the part has been rotationally positioned, the cutting starts in 2.5D.

Isn't 5 axis work holding and machine stability beyond hobbyists' budgets? So why is 5 axis an issue for hobbyist software?

I need many clamps just to hold the small pieces I do in x,y,z - so with 5 axes I am not sure how the work pieces would be securely held - unless I get a very expensive machining centre.

[Jonathan]

Yes Easymill can rotate parts in 4 and 5 axes - but not while cutting.

So it's 2.5+2 axis then I suppose, not true 5 axis software as you implied earlier. You could do what easymill does with the A/B axis yourself without too much thinking!

[John S]

Yes Easymill can rotate parts in 4 and 5 axes - but not while cutting.

I am surprised by your response - you say 'what credibility do you have ?' yet you do not explain what you mean - from my web research there seems to be confusion between rotation axes and 2D/2.5D/3D.

By credibility you are selling a piece of software that you don't even know how it works.

Long short is the full version is £2500 for what others are selling for £250 to £350, as I pointed out you can buy a full blown industrial 3D program for $999 with support for users and the company.