Messages

231

General Mach Discussion / Re: setting up a 5th axis

« on: June 07, 2009, 02:58:13 PM »

vmax,  that's exactly what i'm going to use it for... cnc porting...and possibly cam grinding.

Are you located in the states?

I am aware of the software limitations... but don't know until you try.. so I'm going to go for it and see what happens. I know Rhino has a 5 axis for $4k (can't afford that plus machine). But Rhino is just the post processor I believe, and a drawing program. I've read that instead of saving the probe data as a point cloud, you can save it as XYZA code.

At this time it's just a reverse engineered shape, not a way to manipulate a drawing

I'm going to make some calls Monday.

232

General Mach Discussion / Re: setting up a 5th axis

« on: June 06, 2009, 02:53:55 PM »

This is what I'm looking to do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0-tXDEvAqg&feature=related

A driver is what controls the steppers/servos correct? Since X4 only supports 4 stepper motors, what would you reccomend for the 5th driver?

This will be for cutting aluminum.

As far as a 5th axis software... my plan was to probe in 4axis certain areas, save code, move 5th axis, probe certain area again.

Then string together the gcode of the area's, type in my 5th axis movement between saved probe moves/data... then it will be all one continuous cycle.

Does that make sense?

Let's say I wanted to probe and cut in a true 5 axis. What software would you recommend?

233

General Mach Discussion / setting up a 5th axis

« on: June 05, 2009, 10:46:35 PM »

Introductions are first I suppose, hello my name is Jesse and have been a Mach user for about 3 years.

I currently have a Townlabs 4th axis machine running in Mach2. Uncrated machine, plugged it in and made a simple Gcode that I made long time ago for one part and have run it since with no changes.

Now I want to get a second machine and have some fun. The Townlabs is perfect for what I use it for, but won't be accurate enough for my new needs.

So... looking at a Syil X4 with 4th axis. My issue is I'll need a 5th axis, gantry style I think it's called for cutting and probing.

Questions:

How do I drive the 5th axis? Do I have to buy a seperate controller for just that stepper? If so do I need 2 parallel ports on my computer?

The Probe wizard on Mach3, does it only support 4 axis?