4 axis mechmate

[Mason123]

Has anyone succesfully made a 4 axis (router) mechmate?
I am interested in making molds for composite sailplanes
and the inside of the mold needs to be smooth. each mold half
is typically a half circle that tapers from 2" in radius to
.25" in radius.

Thanks
Mason

[smreish]

Yes - yes I have.
Many here in the forums will remember it being the large BBQ pit disguised as a MM!

It is not difficult to add the 4th axis. Whether added on the bed for small parts, or under the bed for very large parts, the design mostly supports the change with little effort.

Mach 3 and controls are part of the design.
The indexer required is based on your needs.
The software is the hard part. Ideally, to make the tool paths you need a package that allows for 4th axis tooling.

I personally used 2 varients.

For full motion 4th axis I used Rhino w/ the 4th axis module.
For simple 4 sided machining, I used Cut3D from Vectric (cheap, reliable, quick) Love it.

Good luck

[klaeuser]

@SMREISH
Sounds that you might be able to help me:
I am planning to build a 4 axis CNC-Mill to produce Surfboards.
Since Workpieces are pretty large it makes sense to tilt the head instead of the workpiece.
Do you think this might work with MM?
I am still having trouble of figuring out the MM concept.
Right now it look to me:
Step1. Designing the workpiece in any 3D-CAD-System (Solidworks, Inventor, ..)
Step2. Using a CAM System (MasterCAM, SolidCAM...) to translate CAD-Model into G-Code
Step3. Load G-Code into MM-Machine Control
Step4. MM-Machine Control is directly connected to stepper drives will then move the axis.

Am I correct on this?

Thanks a lot for your help.

[DocTanner]

Art Ransom did a nice job of one very early on with a 4th axis. MM #2
http://www.turningaround.org/MechMate/Mechmate.htm

DonRoss aka DocTanner

[darren salyer]

I believe a machine with an articulating cutterhead is commonly referred to as a 5 axis machine.

[domino11]

Software for 5 axis machines are hard to come by and extremely expensive though.

[smreish]

The "4th" axis doesn't need to be automated in the software for 2 or 4 side cutting. What you really need is a way to properly INDEX the part so it can be machined. That is what I did.

Although my machine was a true 4th axis attachment, I never used it that way. I found because the size of the models I was cutting, it took to much COMPUTER power to actually render a cutting file. So, I bought a commercial index head so I could accurately rotate the part in exactly 90 degree increments. This could be done as simply as a well drilled center shaft with a drift pin.

Anyway, I found that I was able to easily cut 3D 8' tall statues with the resolution of the 5/6 axis robots performing the same function. The software was Vectric Cut3d or Rhino depending on the part.

[MetalHead]

Mason - Do the molds have undercuts? Typically they do not. If your design is on a constant taper, I do not see why a standard build MM can't do those cuts. Do you have any profiles or pictures?

[Surfcnc]

HI Mason

Have a look at the AKU Shaper software on the web.
Designing boards is best done in surfboard design software, then you look for pathways to export it to what ever CAM software you intend to use.

Regards
Ross

[Surfcnc]

Opps - Replied to Manson, this thread is old news.

Klaeuser start yourself a new thread, it will help keep any answers together.

Ross

[jeep534]

The "4th" axis doesn't need to be automated in the software for 2 or 4 side cutting. What you really need is a way to properly INDEX the part so it can be machined. That is what I did.

Although my machine was a true 4th axis attachment, I never used it that way. I found because the size of the models I was cutting, it took to much COMPUTER power to actually render a cutting file. So, I bought a commercial index head so I could accurately rotate the part in exactly 90 degree increments. This could be done as simply as a well drilled center shaft with a drift pin.

Anyway, I found that I was able to easily cut 3D 8' tall statues with the resolution of the 5/6 axis robots performing the same function. The software was Vectric Cut3d or Rhino depending on the part.

it seems this is a new area of interest for me. could you point me toward photos of this machine.

archie =) =) =)

[domino11]

Check out Seans original build here.

I'm working on a new MM quietly in the corner #5 - Orlando. FL (http://www.mechmate.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460)

[smreish]

You can always ask me too - I don't bite! :)