[dwneumann]

sorry for the silly question but... I can't find the menu for the continuous 4 axis functions. I've enabled every MadCam toolbar, set the machine into 4 axis mode, and looked through the options ... how do I select, for example, continuous 4 axis parallel finishing as in the attached picture?
thanks :-)

[svenakela]

Did you buy a 4-axis license?

madCAM four axis intro - YouTube!

[dwneumann]

yes, I have the full 4+5 axis version, and I can successfully replicate your indexed 4 axis tutorial where you create two 3D toolpaths then switch the machine setup to 4 axis and it will cut one then rotate the A axis then cut the other.
I just can't seem to find the menu of continuous 4 axis functions... attached is the list of toolbars I see. The only functions on the "4-axis and 5-axis tools" toolbar is axis setup and C planes... no cutting functions.

[svenakela]

The toolbar icon is the fourth in the MC 4.3 toolbar, called "Set 3.axis mode".
Try to invoke it manually by writing "MadCAMCommand" and then "Select_Rotary_Axis". If you get the question to select axis you have the function available, but might need to check the toolbar again.

[dwneumann]

thanks Sven, yup I have that toolbar, and yes I get the question to select the rotary and spindle axis.

... discovered the explanation in the 4-axis section of the program help files: "[selecting the rotary and spindle axis] converts any toolpath strategy in madCAM to simultaneous 4 and 5-axis."

So for indexed 4 axis we set options/axis-setup to 3-axis machine, then select "3 axis mode" from the 3-axis mode toolbar, then generate toolpaths, then change axis setup to 4-axis before post processing.

For continuous 4 axis we set options/axis-setup to 4-axis machine, select rotary and spindle axis from the 3-axis mode toolbar, then generate toolpaths.

thanks for your help and patience :-)