5-Axis machine - Opinions please!

[Christian Knuell]

Hi,

what you think of its capabilities for Aluminium and harder ferrous metals.

This machine is absolutely unsuitable for any metal (unsupported rails on XYZ and most likely timing belts for AB -> by far not enough stiffness).
For aluminum you may be able to build a small 5 axis machine from $10000 upwards - for steel at least double that number.

But mechanics are only one issue - software is another:

• "Cheap" 5 axis software starts at about $5000 (I'm not joking).
• Even if you manage to get a copy of such software it will be useless because you need someone to program a post processor for your machines kinematics.
• Don't expect this kind of software to be easy to use - even CNC programmers with years of experience usually need to visit expensive training courses to use those programs.

5 Axis machining is absolutely out of reach for any hobbyist and even most businesses.

By the way: the part you've shown is possible with 3 axis as far as I can see - you just need to flip it once.
But even for just 3 axis you won't be able to find a machine with the ability to machine steel for just £1000.

Christian