[Shooter7]

Does anyone make a 5 Axis machine (router) with split rotary axis...ie an axis on the table? Having both rotary axis on the head is great for most applications, but it is terrible for my application. I am looking for a machine to prototype and pattern turbo machinery, meaning radially symmetric parts. With at least one axis on the table, programming is much more elegant, and accuracy for parts with radial symmetry will be much better.

Virtually all metal cutting 5-axis machines have at least one axis on the table. There are dozens of impeller machining videos on Youtube for example.

A trunnion table set up, of course...would not be good either...as it severly limits your working space. The ideal set up would be the following:

Y Axis Table (Fixed Bridge)
C Axis Table
X Axis Head/Bride
Z Axis Head
A Axis Head

I do understand that achieving high feed rates with this set up could be a challenge when routing near the center of rotation of the C-axis...but that could be worked around pretty easy with toolpath set up.

Materials routed will be wood, plastics, and waxes.

I have not been able to find a single router set up this way. I am not looking for a large machine. My largest part/pattern would be in the 30" Dia x 20" tall range...so 48"-54" travel would be more than adequate. Am I going to have to have a custom machine made? I prefer not to do that, since a custom machine is risky should this venture fail. Not much resale value.....

I guess I could design and build my own. Budget is about $120-$150K....

[cabnet636]

call joey at camaster, if he will not do it he will know those who can.

www.camaster.com