Answered
NEED 4TH AXIS TUTORIAL TO WORK MY ROTARY.
HI
JUST LIKE TO KNOW IF CARVCO SUPPORTS 4TH AXIS, AND ARE THERE TUTORIAL FOR IT?
THANKS.
GARY
Comments
Yes it does - but there are caveats. Depending on what you want to cut, you may have to deal with rotary distortion as a result of the model being unwrapped flat. Carveco can machine full 3D 'rotary' models, but they need to be unwrapped flat and toolpathed just like a flat model. The post processor substitutes the wrap axis (X or Y depending on orientation) for A or B values, which move in degrees.
There is no 'easy' tutorial that I am aware of. You have to look at several tutorials (look at the ArtCAM 2018 ones on YouTube) and try it on your own. Make sure your CNC rotary indexer is turning the right way...
Sorry if all that sounds vague but...there are many ways in which to use an indexer. You can use it purely to index on a fluted column, to use shaped cutters to produce barley twist columns/posts, as a '2D' rotary for cutting shapes that wrap onto a cylinder (such as PVC/AL pipe saddle cuts - or indexed holes for a clothes tree), machine 3D regular patterns around symmetrical or non-symmetrical shapes or do incremental indexing on a non-symmetrical model such as a statue or trophy - OR do N-sided 3D machining...It can be used in so many ways.
However...truth be told, most indexers sit on the shelf. People hardly ever get them working & when they do, they quickly realize that it takes more time to setup, program and machine than they'll ever get paid for...which is why you don't see many people posting rotary projects. Sorry if that sounds gloomy...I like to say things straight.
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