[azam1959]

ignore the request ... i found tormach setup video and it has some shots of fourth axis attachment with main table Tormach Fab Lab: How to Set up a 4th Axis | Milling Around guess i have to put screws on both sides.

[kvom]

The axis came with some square headed bolts that fit the table slots, and matching nuts that take an 18mm wrench. The only issue with this is that you have to lift the axis up and over the end of the bolts, which can be awkward. Using t-nuts and studs would be somewhat easier.

Main issue with positioning on the table is avoiding having the motor extension hit the enclosure.

[azam1959]

Kvom,
I end up putting 4th axis on the right side. I think I will have to work very hard to hit the enclosure. Just like you, I also have two vices on the table. I think I can use 3-4 inch stock without moving the vice, which should be fine for now. If need be, I can raise both components of 4th axis couple of inches but will wait on this one. Not sure how high z axis can go.

I also found that there is not way to clamp 4th axis from back. I guess structure is little different from Tormach. This will give me some more room to play.

Whenever you get a chance, please share 4th axis step per value from mach3 motor configuration page. My current value is 4068 but I think motor is travelling is rotating much more than it should be.

Do you have any input on if I am putting 4th axis on right side, do I need to change anything in mach3 setting. Been a long time but I do remember for x, y and z axis there an option for reversing the direction if wiring is not done correctly.

thanks for all the help

[kvom]

Mine is set to 2000 steps per. Issue a G0 A360 from A0, and it should make 1 complete rotation.

If direction is wrong reverse the checkmark on the DirLowAcrtive in Motor Output tab of motor tuning.

[azam1959]

Thanks Kvom. I will start with 2000 and will use trial and error .... i do remember mach3 has some mechanism to help with trial and error. With 2000 figure, I guess there is no gearing ratio.

Almost there and hope I will be making some wrapping project next week. I am actually more interested in seeing how autocad inventor hsm 4th/multi axis toopath works and if does what I think it is doing, then I guess I can design and build more complex projects. Inventor seems to rotate the project but keep the z reference to the with the original surface .... not sure if it will work and this is the fun part :-)

Appreciate all the help.

Cheers

[daniellyall]

as far as I know 4th axis indexing works well with inventor not actual 4th axis rotational work I ask about it 2 weeks a go in the forum and got told it still cut`s through the work piece trying to do the cut paths, it may have been fixed since then

[azam1959]

daniellyall,
i will like to piggybag on your research. I found one video of last years inventor hsm indexing tutorial but it was missing audio. I did some trial and errors with tool orientation and multiple wcs but if you can point me to some discussion on inventor hsm pro 4th axis cam settings it will save me some time learning the hard way. If you have any sample simple indexing .ipt file, I can try to do the reverse engineering to see cam settings.

your finding is little disappointment though. Lets hope they can fix the bug quickly. Other option may autocade new 3d SW fusion 360/ultimate and 2016 version will be out sometime mid June.
thanks

All,
Kvom and my motors seem to be little different. For mine I had to set 200 as step per value (or was it 400, senior moment). I also thought through changing rotation direction when putting fourth axis on the right side but decided against it. Fourth axis is moving counter clockwise and it will continue to be counter clockwise if I move 4th axis it to left and change the direction. Further more when we measure angle, positive angle is counter clock wise any way. I think this will help with the standard convention.....

[abcmojave]

Mach3 will help you with setting steps. Go to settings tab and select : set steps per unit. It asks how far to go (rotate/degrees in this case), makes the move and asks how far it went. You report measured movement and mach3 calculates the steps and inputs same. You are done!

[azam1959]

passed that stage ... i posted my step number because they are different from qvom and i though extra data point may help somebody looking for help in future. need some pointer on autocade inventor hsm pro cam setting for multi-axis tool path. also need to make base plate to elevate fourth axis for couple of inches but this can wait for now. need to see how it works and how much z-axis i have to play with. i think z axis should be fine though, i have total of 11.5 inches and 2 inch elevation will leave 9.5 inch ... i have 6 in rotary not sure what it means but logically this should allow me to use max of 6 inch dia stock. Theoretically I should not have any issue with z axis and I can even make 3 inch thick plate to avoid vice completely.
thanks

[daniellyall]

for the 4th axis indexing stuff in inventor and fusion (inventor is just ahead of fusion) you just use the 3+2 machining its is really 3 + 1 but they are very much the same as in the way you set it up I could not get it to work on anything round just squire sides there is not much different between inventor and fusion inventor just gets the good stuff first plus a couple of other functions it will always have more bits.

the cam in fusion is in all realty HSM done different (ask why it is done diffrent to HSM answer becouse it is) and inventor has one of the HSM`s so just look up 3+2 machineing

[azam1959]

for the 4th axis indexing stuff in inventor and fusion (inventor is just ahead of fusion) you just use the 3+2 machining its is really 3 + 1 but they are very much the same as in the way you set it up I could not get it to work on anything round just squire sides there is not much different between inventor and fusion inventor just gets the good stuff first plus a couple of other functions it will always have more bits.

the cam in fusion is in all realty HSM done different (ask why it is done diffrent to HSM answer becouse it is) and inventor has one of the HSM`s so just look up 3+2 machineing

Daniellyall,
Thans for help. Can you use few more words, perhaps it can improve my plan of action. I created a simple cube in inventor and created a circular pockets on four sides and post processor was able to generate pretty decent 4 axis code for me. Only thing different I did compared to regular 2/3d tool path was 1) be careful that cutting sides are rotated around x axis 2) setup has multiple wcs selected with 4 duplicates 3) for each side, i defined new wcs 4) i used 4th axis post processor included in the inventor. Help me understand what am i missing ....

here is the g code created by the inventor. understand that this is very simple example, I can do complex projects on unlimited number of sides (I hope). I can post ipt file if it helps .... uh i don't see the way to attach the file ... sorry for inline copy
%
O1001
(T1 D=0.25 CR=0. - FLAT END MILL)
N10 G90 G94 G17 G49
N15 G20
N20 G28 G91 Z0.
N25 G90
(2D POCKET2)
N30 M09
N35 T1 M06
N40 S171212 M03
N45 G54
N50 G00 A0.
N55 M09
N65 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N70 G43 Z0.6 H01
N80 G00 Z0.2
N85 G01 Z0.1 F43.
N90 Z-0.475
N95 G19 G02 Y0. Z-0.5 J-0.025
N100 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N105 X-0.125 I-0.125
N110 X0.125 I0.125
N115 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z-0.4988 I-0.025
N120 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z-0.4952 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N125 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z-0.4897 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N130 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z-0.4827 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N135 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z-0.475 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N140 G00 Z0.6
N150 G28 G91 Z0.
N155 G90
(2D POCKET2)
N160 M09
N170 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N175 G43 Z0.6 H01
N185 G00 Z0.2
N190 G01 Z0.1 F43.
N195 Z-0.475
N200 G19 G02 Y0. Z-0.5 J-0.025
N205 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N210 X-0.125 I-0.125
N215 X0.125 I0.125
N220 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z-0.4988 I-0.025
N225 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z-0.4952 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N230 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z-0.4897 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N235 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z-0.4827 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N240 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z-0.475 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N245 G00 Z0.6
N255 G28 G91 Z0.
N260 G90
(2D POCKET2)
N265 G55
N270 M09
N280 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N285 G43 Z0.6 H01
N295 G00 Z0.2
N300 G01 Z0.1 F43.
N305 Z-0.475
N310 G19 G02 Y0. Z-0.5 J-0.025
N315 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N320 X-0.125 I-0.125
N325 X0.125 I0.125
N330 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z-0.4988 I-0.025
N335 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z-0.4952 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N340 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z-0.4897 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N345 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z-0.4827 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N350 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z-0.475 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N355 G00 Z0.6
N365 G28 G91 Z0.
N370 G90
(2D POCKET2)
N375 G56
N380 M09
N390 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N395 G43 Z0.6 H01
N405 G00 Z0.2
N410 G01 Z0.1 F43.
N415 Z-0.475
N420 G19 G02 Y0. Z-0.5 J-0.025
N425 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N430 X-0.125 I-0.125
N435 X0.125 I0.125
N440 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z-0.4988 I-0.025
N445 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z-0.4952 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N450 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z-0.4897 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N455 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z-0.4827 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N460 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z-0.475 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N465 G00 Z0.6
N475 G28 G91 Z0.
N480 G90
(2D POCKET2 2)
N485 G54
N490 A270.
N495 M09
N505 G00 X0.1125 Y1.025
N510 G43 Z1.6 H01
N520 G00 Z1.2
N525 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N530 Z0.525
N535 G19 G02 Y1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N540 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N545 X-0.125 I-0.125
N550 X0.125 I0.125
N555 X0.1238 Y1.0076 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N560 X0.1208 Y1.0139 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N565 X0.1173 Y1.0181 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N570 X0.1145 Y1.0204 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N575 X0.1135 Y1.021 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N580 G00 Z1.6
N590 G28 G91 Z0.
N595 G90
(2D POCKET2 2)
N600 M09
N610 G00 X0.1125 Y1.025
N615 G43 Z1.6 H01
N625 G00 Z1.2
N630 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N635 Z0.525
N640 G19 G02 Y1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N645 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N650 X-0.125 I-0.125
N655 X0.125 I0.125
N660 X0.1238 Y1.0076 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N665 X0.1208 Y1.0139 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N670 X0.1173 Y1.0181 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N675 X0.1145 Y1.0204 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N680 X0.1135 Y1.021 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N685 G00 Z1.6
N695 G28 G91 Z0.
N700 G90
(2D POCKET2 2)
N705 G55
N710 M09
N720 G00 X0.1125 Y1.025
N725 G43 Z1.6 H01
N735 G00 Z1.2
N740 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N745 Z0.525
N750 G19 G02 Y1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N755 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N760 X-0.125 I-0.125
N765 X0.125 I0.125
N770 X0.1238 Y1.0076 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N775 X0.1208 Y1.0139 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N780 X0.1173 Y1.0181 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N785 X0.1145 Y1.0204 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N790 X0.1135 Y1.021 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N795 G00 Z1.6
N805 G28 G91 Z0.
N810 G90
(2D POCKET2 2)
N815 G56
N820 M09
N830 G00 X0.1125 Y1.025
N835 G43 Z1.6 H01
N845 G00 Z1.2
N850 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N855 Z0.525
N860 G19 G02 Y1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N865 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N870 X-0.125 I-0.125
N875 X0.125 I0.125
N880 X0.1238 Y1.0076 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N885 X0.1208 Y1.0139 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N890 X0.1173 Y1.0181 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N895 X0.1145 Y1.0204 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N900 X0.1135 Y1.021 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N905 G00 Z1.6
N915 G28 G91 Z0.
N920 G90
(2D POCKET2 3)
N925 G54
N930 A180.
N935 M09
N945 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N950 G43 Z2.6 H01
N960 G00 Z2.2
N965 G01 Z2.1 F43.
N970 Z1.525
N975 G19 G02 Y0. Z1.5 J-0.025
N980 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N985 X-0.125 I-0.125
N990 X0.125 I0.125
N995 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z1.5012 I-0.025
N1000 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z1.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1005 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z1.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1010 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z1.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1015 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z1.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1020 G00 Z2.6
N1030 G28 G91 Z0.
N1035 G90
(2D POCKET2 3)
N1040 M09
N1050 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N1055 G43 Z2.6 H01
N1065 G00 Z2.2
N1070 G01 Z2.1 F43.
N1075 Z1.525
N1080 G19 G02 Y0. Z1.5 J-0.025
N1085 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1090 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1095 X0.125 I0.125
N1100 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z1.5012 I-0.025
N1105 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z1.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1110 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z1.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1115 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z1.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1120 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z1.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1125 G00 Z2.6
N1135 G28 G91 Z0.
N1140 G90
(2D POCKET2 3)
N1145 G55
N1150 M09
N1160 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N1165 G43 Z2.6 H01
N1175 G00 Z2.2
N1180 G01 Z2.1 F43.
N1185 Z1.525
N1190 G19 G02 Y0. Z1.5 J-0.025
N1195 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1200 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1205 X0.125 I0.125
N1210 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z1.5012 I-0.025
N1215 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z1.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1220 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z1.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1225 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z1.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1230 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z1.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1235 G00 Z2.6
N1245 G28 G91 Z0.
N1250 G90
(2D POCKET2 3)
N1255 G56
N1260 M09
N1270 G00 X0.1125 Y0.025
N1275 G43 Z2.6 H01
N1285 G00 Z2.2
N1290 G01 Z2.1 F43.
N1295 Z1.525
N1300 G19 G02 Y0. Z1.5 J-0.025
N1305 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1310 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1315 X0.125 I0.125
N1320 X0.1238 Y0.0076 Z1.5012 I-0.025
N1325 X0.1208 Y0.0139 Z1.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1330 X0.1173 Y0.0181 Z1.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1335 X0.1145 Y0.0204 Z1.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1340 X0.1135 Y0.021 Z1.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1345 G00 Z2.6
N1355 G28 G91 Z0.
N1360 G90
(2D POCKET2 4)
N1365 G54
N1370 A90.
N1375 M09
N1385 G00 X0.1125 Y-0.975
N1390 G43 Z1.6 H01
N1400 G00 Z1.2
N1405 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N1410 Z0.525
N1415 G19 G02 Y-1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N1420 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1425 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1430 X0.125 I0.125
N1435 X0.1238 Y-0.9924 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N1440 X0.1208 Y-0.9861 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1445 X0.1173 Y-0.9819 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1450 X0.1145 Y-0.9796 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1455 X0.1135 Y-0.979 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1460 G00 Z1.6
N1470 G28 G91 Z0.
N1475 G90
(2D POCKET2 4)
N1480 M09
N1490 G00 X0.1125 Y-0.975
N1495 G43 Z1.6 H01
N1505 G00 Z1.2
N1510 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N1515 Z0.525
N1520 G19 G02 Y-1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N1525 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1530 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1535 X0.125 I0.125
N1540 X0.1238 Y-0.9924 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N1545 X0.1208 Y-0.9861 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1550 X0.1173 Y-0.9819 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1555 X0.1145 Y-0.9796 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1560 X0.1135 Y-0.979 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1565 G00 Z1.6
N1575 G28 G91 Z0.
N1580 G90
(2D POCKET2 4)
N1585 G55
N1590 M09
N1600 G00 X0.1125 Y-0.975
N1605 G43 Z1.6 H01
N1615 G00 Z1.2
N1620 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N1625 Z0.525
N1630 G19 G02 Y-1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N1635 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1640 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1645 X0.125 I0.125
N1650 X0.1238 Y-0.9924 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N1655 X0.1208 Y-0.9861 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1660 X0.1173 Y-0.9819 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1665 X0.1145 Y-0.9796 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1670 X0.1135 Y-0.979 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1675 G00 Z1.6
N1685 G28 G91 Z0.
N1690 G90
(2D POCKET2 4)
N1695 G56
N1700 M09
N1710 G00 X0.1125 Y-0.975
N1715 G43 Z1.6 H01
N1725 G00 Z1.2
N1730 G01 Z1.1 F43.
N1735 Z0.525
N1740 G19 G02 Y-1. Z0.5 J-0.025
N1745 G17 G03 X0.125 I0.0062 F21.
N1750 X-0.125 I-0.125
N1755 X0.125 I0.125
N1760 X0.1238 Y-0.9924 Z0.5012 I-0.025
N1765 X0.1208 Y-0.9861 Z0.5048 I-0.0238 J-0.0076
N1770 X0.1173 Y-0.9819 Z0.5103 I-0.0208 J-0.0139
N1775 X0.1145 Y-0.9796 Z0.5173 I-0.0173 J-0.0181
N1780 X0.1135 Y-0.979 Z0.525 I-0.0145 J-0.0204
N1785 G00 Z1.6
N1795 M09
N1800 G28 G91 Z0.
N1805 A0.
N1810 G28 X0. Y0.
N1815 M30
%

[daniellyall]

what post are you using

I don't know if I can import ipt I only have fusion now

if you do it like the tutorial for 3 + 2 it should be fine you just have to make sure its all from the same end and the point of rotation is center end whats the origin, you pick the face you wont cut for z, a edge for x and do a face cut all the way around then a parallel or horizontal cut if you have squire sides

it takes a bit of buggering around to get it right and just make sure all your heights are set correctly.

you can do round stuff depending on it`s shape, like a persons head could be cut out as long as the tools you have are long enough you go from edge to center of model then rotate 90 same again so on then when you do the finishing parse you would rotate 45 then 90 so you don't end up with lines in a model every 90. if you have a 5 axis its easy as but with 4 its a lot more work

all the 4th axis stuff I wont to do cant be done yet as its full 4th axis work as in cut outs all the way around

[azam1959]

daniellyall,
i am using fanuc - inverse time - a -axis post processor. this is generic inverse time postprocessor came with inventor. inventor also have hass generic inverse time postprocessor and i looked at the code generated by that post processor and I think it should work with mach3 as well. I figured out aligning x/a axis with rotational axis, not sure if mach3 will be able to do proper compensation if axis is not aligned.
unfortunately i do not see any 3+2 tutorial in inventor infact help page do mention 4th axis option in tool orientation page I don't see that option either. if tutorial is available on the web, I will appreciate a link. right now it is trial and error for me. i know that new version of fusion is coming out in couple of weeks and am planning to download it at that time, does not make sense to spend time on older version. i am quite happy with inventor but my hope is that new version of fusion will have better 4th axis support.
i also have access to vectric aspire which has pretty good wrapping tool path if I ever want to make statue or similar project.

i think i am close, just need to start cutting simple 4th axis projects.

thanks for all the help. hope i am right but it seems that all the magic is done by post process and work flow for 4th/multi axis is very similar to 2/3 axis.

regards,

[daniellyall]

I will try and find where I put my pp`s I have a few I use for M3 depending what I am doing and what router I am using what Jeff and others helped with I will stick them in a file for you.

have a look at the fusion help for a 3 + 2 tutorials when I tried inventor it worked the same I used 2016 inventor as a trial to see if the 4th axis worked better for what I wont to do it did not.

the improved 4th axis stuff for fusion I think its a long ways a way yet like next year maybe.

there are some old youtube vids on useing 4th axis with inventor and HSM but its the same stuff you can do with aspire just better tool path`s. I have V carve pro so any file I have that is flat I can use V carve most of them are round so that buggers that idea. you would be fine if you had solid works, Auto desk should just have brought it instead of doing inventor and buying out some other company's.

[kvom]

Today I tried some cylindrical engraving, with mixed success.

The success was that the wrapped tool paths were correct, and I was able to engrave most of the text.

Non-success:

1) The depth was too variable. Evidently there is runout on the chuck, possibly because I was using the outside of the jaws to hold the cylinder. I'll have to test that later.

2) With the runout the depth increased at the end and broke off the point of the tool (I was using a 60-degree carbide chamfer tool with a very sharp point.

3) Biggest problem was how slow the process was. The rotational speed of the axis is too slow. It takes about 1 minute to rapid 360 degrees. Since my rapid speed is 75 IPM, my milling speed of 10 ipm means it would take 7.5 minutes to make a full circuit' My workpiece has a diameter of 3 inches, and hence a circumference of 9.4 inches. 9.4 inches per 7.5 minutes is an effective machining rate of 1.25 ipm in A vs. 10 in X. The reality is worse. Mach3 estimates a run time of 4 minutes, while in actuality it took 70 minutes. So 17 times slower vs. the 8 times implied by just the effective rate.

So I have got to get the rotational speed up if I want to be able to engrave efficiently.

[azam1959]

kvom, will be very interested in optimum speed setting you are happy with. thx

[kvom]

If I were just using the axis to turn between 2.5D machining ops on separate faces, it wouldn't be so much an issue. For engraving, every cut is a coordinated move between the A and X axes, and these moves are very short. So acceleration will be an issue as well as the speed I can get without losing steps. I'll be playing with the motor tuning.

[SCzEngrgGroup]

Why is A so slow? Is it just the gear ratio on the 4th? What's the limiting factor? Seems to me, even with a 72:1 gear ratio, it should do much better than that.

Regards,
Ray L.

[vmax549]

are yous guys using radius comp for feerate with Mach3. Without it the 4th will only run at teh commanded feedrate.With it on it COMPS the A feedrate based on the diameter to better blend the A speeds to the linear axis(XYZ). It will use teh full motor tuning of the A axis to do this BUT it will be limited to the max speed of the A axis. For the best results with 3d milling on the 4th a ratio of about 6:1 seems to run best. Any more seems to be limited on speed and less you loose holding power on the 4th.

Without 4th axis radius comp it reminds one of watching paint dry, painfully slow(;-).

Just a thought, (;-) TP

[daniellyall]

these are the pp I use with fusion they should work with inventor