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Author Topic: Experimenting with my rotary axis  (Read 11716 times)

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Offline RICH

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2009, 02:37:17 PM »
Greg,
If you didn't have Aspire then what would you do? I assume that Aspire generates the Gcode?
I got a rotary indexer setup on the lathe and for modeling will do fluting, flutes wraped around the
cyclinder, cut a profile, who knows what. I will probably start a new thread but if you can shed some light
from your experience on the pitfalls when using the rotary table it would be helpfull.

Just trying to shorten my learning curve.
I need to play some with doing the code manualy.
 
RICH

Offline Chaoticone

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2009, 03:14:28 PM »
Glad you bumped this one Rcih. Man I love those legs. That is just great work.

Brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!

Offline Greolt

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2010, 12:32:32 AM »
Greg,
If you didn't have Aspire then what would you do?

My first recommendation would be to get some CAM with 4th axis capability.  Like VisualMill  or Mastercam.  :o

If, like me, you can't justify the cost and you have some 2D or 3D CAM already, then look at wrapping. CNCWrapper is great value.

And of course you don't need software to wrap XYZ toolpaths.  A reasonable grasp of geometry and a calculator will do it.  CNCWrapper just makes it easier.

Wrapping XYZ toolpaths is quite limiting but still there is a lot of potential to work within those limits.

The advantage of a program like Aspire is the 3D modelling.  Most particularly the two rail sweep to easily build the shape, like in the table leg.

Also the ability to project a 2D or vee carve toolpath onto a 3D model, like with the fluting on the table leg.

For barley twists and spiral fluting etc, some clever code writing should be OK.  

There is available Rich's "Indexer Wizards" which will automate these.  Worth noting Aspire also has this capability.

As I said, real 4 axis CAM is the way to go.  Any one want to sponsor me with some??  :)

Greg

Offline Chaoticone

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2010, 12:36:38 AM »
Well Greg, with a set of legs like that you should be able to get anything you want.  ;D

Brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!

Offline ger21

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #14 on: January 03, 2010, 08:33:20 AM »
If you didn't have Aspire then what would you do?

If you have the ability to create the 3D models, then MeshCAM can do indexed 4th axis for under $200. www.meshcam.com
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

Offline RICH

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #15 on: January 03, 2010, 11:40:46 AM »
Thanks Gerry,
I can probably live within the constraints of Wrapper and some hand coding. Like many, i have a problem justifying
an expensive CAM program. So whoever sponsors you, maybe, they can add me to the list.  ;)

Think what I'm after is just adding some  "decrative" cuts to lathe turnings without having to do additional
setup / keeping it on the same machine.

"There is available Rich's "Indexer Wizards" which will automate these."
Have a link to where they are located?  If you mean me, well maybe in the future, but don't hold you breathe waiting for them. ;D
 
RICH

Offline ger21

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #16 on: January 03, 2010, 11:50:48 AM »
Gerry

2010 Screenset
http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

JointCAM Dovetail and Box Joint software
http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

Offline RICH

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Re: Experimenting with my rotary axis
« Reply #17 on: January 03, 2010, 12:17:39 PM »
Thanks for the link....lot of options out there if you look in the right place.
RICH