[callouscade]

Hey everyone! I'm really new the the whole CNC thing... I just got myself one of those inexpensive chinese 5 axis CNC machines running Mach3. With my current client base I feel that I can tune it to make some good parts (plastics woods etc.) to make it worth the money, and let me learn as many of the ins and outs as possible before investing in a more expensive machine. The really nice thing is it can be a 3axis because the rotaries are removable. Anywho...

I'm using Fusion 360 for my CAM right now, and have a question about setups... the B axis is below the A axis (see the photo of the table attached), what parameters do I need to adjust to make sure that process posts correctly? Do I need to input the origin/stock top as a specific height about the A axis?(Which would change for different vises/chucks/mounts of course) Any useful information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Cade

[daniellyall]

You have to set the center of rotation in cam, it makes it easy if you model the 4th and 5th in and keep the model in it's own file with the center of rotation as a sketch that you can pick easily.

Then what you do is import the model of the 4th and 5th axis into a new model then when it's set in it's correct position you import the model what goes on the 4th and 5th then go into cam and do the setup first setting the first cut positions wcs and picking the model and setting the stock then you do the first toolpath, then if the next toolpath is on a different axis you set it's position in the toolpath useing the wcs sketch to set it's wcs.

Have a look at this vid it will help there are other ones on the fusion youtube and hsm youtube channel as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBvmJDwa6rM

[callouscade]

Thank you very much for the information! My B axis has a mounting plate which I will be using multiple vises on for different shape stocks I will be using. I'm sure it's possible to model the table, and then model my different vises/chucks and place them together? I will do some research on this later, but if it isn't possible I'd rather just know what to research from the get go!

Thanks
Cade

[bostosh]

Good advice Daniel,
Build the Cad model first of the table, create a axis test Gcode file to move the machine
(i hear the thought "how") Send me the file and i'll add those
create point-vectors to pass motion commands the postprocessor
Points do the positioning, vectors are the sine/cosine of the angles
the postprocessor translates into degrees of rotation.

This is really confusing to most. it's just geometry, we all have to learn

[callouscade]

Good advice Daniel,
Build the Cad model first of the table, create a axis test Gcode file to move the machine
(i hear the thought "how") Send me the file and i'll add those
create point-vectors to pass motion commands the postprocessor
Points do the positioning, vectors are the sine/cosine of the angles
the postprocessor translates into degrees of rotation.

This is really confusing to most. it's just geometry, we all have to learn

Do you have a link maybe to some further information on how the post processor uses that geometry? I understand the purpose of the points and vectors, but don't quite understand what they are directing the machine to do. Are they specific for the movements, or are those vectors just part of the WCS?

[daniellyall]

Have a look at the vids here it how to set up the wcs and stuff like that https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgs...KdOYpxY7JiiovQ

Do what callouscade said you realy need to know what you are doing when setting the point vectors and stuff like that in the post other wise you wont have much of a machine left sinces the wcs in in spaces I wont even touch setting that stuff.

If you wont to read up on it have a look at this forum https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-p...forum/bd-p/218

[bostosh]

Here is a link to the Supreme Guru's of postprocessors.
Austin N.C. | GPost and CAM Products & Services

This was explained to me 40 years ago tool axis vectors conversion to table motion degrees.
This is easy compared to calculating the dot-product-of'-vectors of the actual tool position.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_product

I had the PHD's of math and computer science at the end of the telephone during development of multiaxis cam.
They made this happen math-wise,,
I am just the machinist using their calcs, I do the pathing..
This is the 7axis i programmed with those tool axis vectors
And internal machining with 4axis

Just Math-Magicical.......
serial strings of point vectors putting $$ in my back pockets.

[callouscade]

Thanks for that info! I understand the math behind it now... now I just need to motivate myself to actually do it. Once i figure it out once it'll be a piece of cake!

Thanks everyone for the help!

Cade

[CNC74]

Thanks for that info! I understand the math behind it now... now I just need to motivate myself to actually do it. Once i figure it out once it'll be a piece of cake!

Thanks everyone for the help!

Cade

Any update?

I have been looking at adding that same 4th & 5th axis to my machine but am unsure its the best option.

Thanks in advance for your input.