4 ms·

Open Source 5-Axis CNC mill and plasma cutter

34 points by Gelada 16y ago

CalvinoArch 16y ago
You'd be surprised how much more you can find to do with simultaneous 5 axis, not to mention how much it can decrease machining time . . . you can use a relatively huge cutting tool and still get a great finish. --Cheers!
mhb 16y ago
I think this would appeal to many more people if it were a machine the size of a Taig or Sherline. Although some of the concepts are transferable, there will be a lot of issues in building something this size which would not be relevant to a smaller machine. Are there really that many people with the kind of space for this and the items it produces who want to build their own 5 axis mill? I also wonder how many people need the parts produced by a 5 axis machine with its enormously greater hardware and software complexity. In most cases you could design what you need to be built on a 3 axis machine and assemble it. For under $2000, you can have a lot of fun by buying/assembling a Taig CNC mill with a 4th axis. 2 1/2D and 3D raster software is not crazy expensive or complicated.
- lsc 16y ago
  A simpler machine would appeal to more people? I agree. However, to the people who need the increased capabilities? In the right hands, this looks like it could produce some interesting objects that the smaller/cheaper machines couldn't handle.
- cjdavis 16y ago
  Something of this size and cost is perfect for many local hackerspaces to build and operate.
  - mhb 16y ago
    That makes sense. But I still have to wonder how many projects need the extra 1 or 2 axes. Any examples?
- seancron 16y ago
  While I doubt there are many individuals with the space or need, although there certainly are some, there are certainly a lot of hackerspaces that I'm certain would love to have and/or build this. http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces
hop 16y ago
Unless you have to do some crazy undercuts, you'll never need more than 3 axes. And even if you do, you can flip the part. A good Cam program and some ball endmills will do very complicated 3D machining. We had a giant 5-axis Thermwood gantry router to make composite tooling - I think we used the additional axes only once - they are a lot more time consuming to program and can get out of tolerance much easier.
- Gelada 16y ago
  Although its true that a 3-Axis can do a lot more than people expect with some creative thought, there is a reason 5 (and higher) axis machines exist. For some tasks they can be essential.
cabacon 16y ago
Can someone who understands this space well tell me where something like RepRap (http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page) compares to this, conceptually?
- Gelada 16y ago
  The central difference is whether the process is by addition or subtraction. 3d printers, like the reprap, add material (for example melted plastic) to make an object. A router on the other hand removes material from an object until it is the required shape. As a result you can use many materials (like wood) that cannot be easily broken up into smaller parts and reassembled.

34 points by Gelada 16y ago

You'd be surprised how much more you can find to do with simultaneous 5 axis, not to mention how much it can decrease machining time . . . you can use a relatively huge cutting tool and still get a great finish. --Cheers!

mhb 16y ago

I think this would appeal to many more people if it were a machine the size of a Taig or Sherline. Although some of the concepts are transferable, there will be a lot of issues in building something this size which would not be relevant to a smaller machine. Are there really that many people with the kind of space for this and the items it produces who want to build their own 5 axis mill? I also wonder how many people need the parts produced by a 5 axis machine with its enormously greater hardware and software complexity. In most cases you could design what you need to be built on a 3 axis machine and assemble it. For under $2000, you can have a lot of fun by buying/assembling a Taig CNC mill with a 4th axis. 2 1/2D and 3D raster software is not crazy expensive or complicated.

lsc 16y ago
A simpler machine would appeal to more people? I agree. However, to the people who need the increased capabilities? In the right hands, this looks like it could produce some interesting objects that the smaller/cheaper machines couldn't handle.
cjdavis 16y ago
Something of this size and cost is perfect for many local hackerspaces to build and operate.
- mhb 16y ago
  That makes sense. But I still have to wonder how many projects need the extra 1 or 2 axes. Any examples?
seancron 16y ago
While I doubt there are many individuals with the space or need, although there certainly are some, there are certainly a lot of hackerspaces that I'm certain would love to have and/or build this. http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/List_of_Hacker_Spaces

hop 16y ago

Unless you have to do some crazy undercuts, you'll never need more than 3 axes. And even if you do, you can flip the part. A good Cam program and some ball endmills will do very complicated 3D machining. We had a giant 5-axis Thermwood gantry router to make composite tooling - I think we used the additional axes only once - they are a lot more time consuming to program and can get out of tolerance much easier.

Gelada 16y ago
Although its true that a 3-Axis can do a lot more than people expect with some creative thought, there is a reason 5 (and higher) axis machines exist. For some tasks they can be essential.

cabacon 16y ago

Can someone who understands this space well tell me where something like RepRap (http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page http://reprap.org/wiki/Main_Page) compares to this, conceptually?

Gelada 16y ago
The central difference is whether the process is by addition or subtraction. 3d printers, like the reprap, add material (for example melted plastic) to make an object. A router on the other hand removes material from an object until it is the required shape. As a result you can use many materials (like wood) that cannot be easily broken up into smaller parts and reassembled.