Hello from Minnesota!
 

Hey everyone,

Been perusing the forum for a week or so, trying to learn all I can.

I build movie props/replicas in my spare time, and I'm looking at a CNC machine as a potential future family business (as well as using it to help make cool toys. ;) ).

I've seen one person add a 4th axis. Has anyone made a 5 axis Mechmate?

Thanks for all the informative threads!

Russ

Welcome Rook, No 5th axis that I know of.

Hi Rook and welcome

Take a look here : http://www.pdscolombo.com/prod_fast.php

or here for a more affordable one (B/C Drive) : http://www.doughtydrive.com/products.html

Nice toys for boys but big hole in your pocket too :D

Welcome to the group!!

Thanks everyone!

The more I look, the more I think I can "get by" with a 4 axis machine. Obviously, cost is a big
deterrant. Ideally I want my machine to have a working area of 4x8' or being able to handle one
full size sheet of MDF.

If you make a 4 axis, using the main gantry to cut the details, do you make the table bed removeable
or is there other ways to engineer it?

Keep digging in the site. There is a wealth of info here. Several cool designs for 4th Axis.

Some have it across one end and others have made the table wider and recessed for the indexer.

And Sean just removed the table and put in a huge indexer in its place!
Here and
Here

Thanks for the info! Hmmm... Have some design decisions to make now. :)

I wonder how much additional length you'd need to add to put the 4th axis at the end of the machine? I suppose it depends largely on the size of stock you intend on turning, right?

If you put it on the end of the machine, you will be limited to about 4 feet in length. You would need to add the max diameter that you would want to turn on to the length of the machine. If the max diameter will fit above the spoilboard, then you could just mount your 4th axis to the spoilboard. Then there is the indexer valley arrangement as some have done as well. See Roberts build here.

Max. diameter of the 4th axis does contribute directly to the cost. with bigger diameter, the accuracy/backlash demand on the drive has goes up & hence the cost. and if the Dia. is small, making the 4-axis too long will make the work piece flex excessively...etc etc... so its a lot of compromising work one has to make...

Heath,
Thanks for putting my BBQ pit back up in the current threads :)

Seriously, that indexer I put together had really great resolution when used as a 4 face mill. Continuous milling was a challenge when you got over 2' diameter, and really hard to get repeatability out to 5' diameter. All this was a result of the actual material flexing in the center between live end and turret end. Thus, I went to 4 face indexing and supported the center of the work with cribbing when necessary.

Hi Rook3, I have been working on a 5 axis setup for a while. Do you have any idea how to utilize a 5 axis machine?

I don't have any experience with a 5 axis machine. I was basing desires on what I've seen other 5 axis machines do. :)

I think I can "survive" with a 4 axis.

:)

I agree... And I asked for one, so that you might take a look at what is involved in this type of machine. Not just what it takes to build, but also from the programing aspect. Good luck!