Originally Posted by
dmauch
OOOPS! Steve, I think I did not make my self clear. There was no problem with my friend using Powermill. I measured the offsets and he incorporated them into his post processor. Power mill worked with no problem except for a couple lines that the post processor added so I have to delete them. But I don't want to have my friend do my tool paths as he is very busy at work. Additionally most 5 axis CAM programs cost $5-10K.
On the other hand, the Cnctoolkit and Gmax are free but it was designed to be used with a head mounted 4/5th axis. I have been on the toolkit forum asking if one of the gurus with Gmax and the toolkit if they would modify it so that it could seamlessly be used with a Trunnion type 4/5th axis. If someone would fix it, it would open up a whole new avenue of technology to the home shop machinist and to some small businesses. With some modifications those cheap 4/5th axis Chinese trunnion tables would solve the mechanical part and a 4 and 5 axis driver would be easy as a parallel port can support 5 axis machining. Mach3 and EMC both have 6 axis capabilities.
Dan