5 Axis MM Conversion Discussion
 

After you asked your question, Darren, I've been thinking of how a 5 axis machine can be made. Whew! The conception of a 3 axis is easy comparatively speaking. I guess the start point would be to find software that can handle 5 axis then figure out how it handles the additional 2. For another day...

5 axis software is super expensive. So you'd better find the affordable full 5-axis software and then build the machine. The machine is the 'easy' part. CNC zone has some cool 5-axis examples. http://www.cnczone.com/forums/diy-cn...new-build.html

Zero aspirations for a 5 axis here.

If you have $10,000 USD you can play with the software that is needed for it to work effectively. Rhinocam has Visualmill with 5 axis continuous machining.

Didn't say it would be cheap, or easy, but the concepts are cool. There must be a hundred or more ways to make one workable. Pete, surely they have a free demo or something...

That is just the software. To make 5 axis work effectively, continuous machining is the way. Everything works in harmony. You can go indexed machining but not worth it in the long run. Rhinocam is well spoken of, however I never used it.

Tom you should get one of these then. :)

http://www.doughtydrive.com/

Im always afraid when you have to call or email for prices. Pretty cool though..
How does SB do their 5 axis machine?

I think they're around $2000/axis.

Someone else can be the pioneer on the 5 axis setup.
I nominate Tom Ayres.....
Do I hear a second???

Seconded! :)

Vetoed! :D I'm still going to give it a hard look though.

Too late, Tom, its already been seconded.
All in favor say Aye......:)

Aye

Aye! Sorry Tom, waiting with baited breath on you getting one of these drives and making it work :)

Aye

I'll be happy to...if I can receive financial support from each and everyone of my MM Brethren ;)

You have my moral support, sir!!

I already have some morals...

Some moral isn't enough, I'm give even more moral support :D

Ok, Ok, I'll 'look' in to it...After watching the video of the DoughtyDrive B/C axis assembly, way cool by-the-way, there would have to be a major y-car change and the height would have to be at least 3 times taller than what we have as a standard to be effective. The spindle would have to be air cooled (I don't think a water line would survive all that flex). And then there's the issue of Z flex. Crazy changes to make work. It does give me ideas for modifying their concept though. I'd have to start a thread on cnczone, not going to happen any time soon...

Any one of you machinist guys interested in fabricating a few parts if I can design something reasonable?

Now there's the Can-Do attitude we've come to expect from you, Tom. :D

More the 'Can-Try' attitude.

One little link started a war I think.. :D

How does one zero 5 axis? "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop?":rolleyes:

I have seen videos where they have machined an aluminum box and they touched off with a probe to zero to all five sides of the box first then started the machining process.

I'll have to look for some vids...

No war, Heath.
I'm intrigued but will admit it is way past my skill level.

Well there will be no 5 axis using the b/c drive, cost is $2950 + Freight plus another $945 + freight for a 2hp (1.5kw chinese) spindle. Ha Ha, LOL. the drive uses 300 in/oz steppers that can't be changed, claim zero backlash.

That's not terrible pricing if you needed to start a 5 axis machine.

Add that to the low cost of the software to generate your gcode. 3k + 5k = 8k. Or you could build another Mechmate when your business need justifies it. ;)

You are right, but if it can make it for less...now we're talkin'. I don't really see the need for anything I do though. The videos of a 5 axis Thermwood on youtube shows more in line of how I'd want mine designed. Looks more solid. I just don't understand the cabling set-up, you'd think it would twist right off but maybe the software is aware of that.

So true Pete, but you'd still have a 3 or 4 axis machine.

It can be done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nITLI_WcnuM

Very nice machine. I think it is designed to cut only foam. Light like a electric foam cutter.

Heres another one on kickstarter.....

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...r?ref=category

Yep, but I don't do foam. There's no way that kickstarter machine could work on wood, It'd be all over the place from flex.

Sorry Darren, we've somehow taken over your thread...Next subject please...post something you've done recently...thanks

Sorry Darren, we will move this to Tom's thread

Its all good.
Been under the weather the past couple weeks, so no new pics to post.

Tom, I believe the the DoughtyDrive is using a planetary gearhead with positive drive belts. If it was a harmonic drive, I can see the Zero backlash statement but the site says 30:1 with + - 20 arc seconds. This would lead me to think it is a planetary reduction. The NEMA 24 stepper would be fine with that much reduction.

Maybe the easiest avenue that would be the most useful for smaller detailed parts would be a trunnion. You could make detailed roses and other items that I think would be more useful to the woodworker. Anyone here ever venture that route?