5 axis mechmate router?
 

I am looking to buy or build a router sometime soon. I found some 3 axis machines but what I really need is a 5 axis and longer z stroke then most 3 axis I have found. We manufacture fiberglass parts that are pretty good in size and we are building our plugs by hand and want to build them with a cnc to speed up the time and make all of our products the same. We would need a machine that is at least 5' X 10' x 48" in size. Now my questions can I build a 5 axis machine like this and if so what do you all think the price would be to build it? Also we would need it to cut wood, foam, and aluminium. Any help would be great thank you.

I didnt know where to put this I also put this under the market place??. Sorry for the double post.

Double post deleted - MechMate is 3-axis only today

ok thank you

See here, the kick starter project did not achieve its full funding but there are some good links and ideas - explore further from there.

MM has been modified by a few to include longer z's but not with the 2 extra axis. The surfboard industry currently work predominantly in 3 axis using large diameter cutting bits and then just a small clean up either with hand tools or a disk sander with fine grit sandpaper, perhaps this could work for you.

a well designed and built 5 axis machine is quite a substantial undertaking from an engineering perspective for non professionals.

If you are really committed to 5 axis then there are atleast a couple of 5 axis builds going on on cnczone.

thanks everyone for all this information I think I am going to build or buy a 3 axis first to get a good understanding of the machines. I am looking for a machine at least 7' X 10' X 15" . I found a company that builds stuff like we do and they use foam first and cuts the foam into 10" slices and glues them together to make there plugs for there molds. I just thought it would be easier to cut everything out of one piece instead of there way thats why I wanted a 5axis machine. thank you everyone

"it would be easier to cut everything out of one piece" comes with a huge price tag.

How big are the molds you are making?

Your 7'x10'x15" footprint may be within the reach of a modified MM design, and if you are really commited you may even be able to design for slightly larger z, especially if you are mostly planning for foam cutting

...I have a 48" z-slide (36" usable) on MM #5 that is still in use today at it's new home. As long as you balance the load router/spindle head and don't impact a significant side (cutting speed) load while cutting, it performed beautifully - for pennies to fabricate.

"...I have a 48" z-slide (36" usable) on MM #5 that is still in use today at it's new home. As long as you balance the load router/spindle head and don't impact a significant side (cutting speed) load while cutting, it performed beautifully - for pennies to fabricate."

do you have any pictures of this machine it might work for what we need. We do not need a production machine so time is not an issue for cutting but we will need to cut some aluminium some times will this be a problem with these machines?

"How big are the molds you are making?"

I think the largest mold right now is around 62" X 82" X 48"

http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showt...statue&page=90

Does both when you put the flat table back in and limit the above table/below gantry to 8-12" like the machine was designed.

All worked well for me.

Sean

I am happy to distribute the Huge spider plate to those that need it.
You'll have to wait until I get back to work next week. PM me if interested.