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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    87

    STL files and 4th axis

    I have been running STL files on my 4th axis for about a couple weeks now.
    It is quite amazing to watch the process and the end result is awesome.
    I have done all kinds of little statues and bust. I finally have mastered machining breast and buttocks.
    I am working on a red oak chess set now. There are many free files out there, I must have about
    a thousand files by now. I have been generating my own also with Meshcam Art.
    The Taig is perfect for this kind tinkering around, some of my projects have taking as long as
    15 hours. When I get home from work I start one and let it run all night long.
    Pretty impressive considering I have no limit switches or any safety devices.
    I will post pics when I finish Chess Set, I just had surgery on my gut and will be at home for awhile.
    I plan to create as much stuff as I can during my down time.
    Kudos to Taig for making an awesome little mill.
    proper planning prevents piss poor performance

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    6
    Can't wait to see the pictures! I was setting up an old chess set the other day and was envisioning making some new pieces for it, the 4th axis seems perfect for that kind of thing.

    Have there been any incidents from leaving it on it's own? I assume you didn't need any tool changes, so which tool did you use to get cutting and detail optimized?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    87
    I am using an .100 ball end mill with .75 loc & 1.25 reach.
    (Stoners Mill Supply on eBay)
    I have my machined tuned down so it only rapids at 25ipm.
    I feed it at 12.5 imp & plunge at 8.5 imp.
    The only problem Ive had was the set screw in the coupling on 4th axis came lose.
    Luckily it was on the last index,so it did finish with no deformation or blemishes.
    proper planning prevents piss poor performance

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    197
    I too would like to see some photo's of the little statues and bust

    Nivlek

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    87

    pics

    here we go i am trying to upload some pics
    Sorry for the poor camera work
    Need to scroll the menu in camera settings
    I used Meshcam art to generate geodes from stl's
    Hand is made from hickory shovel handle
    proper planning prevents piss poor performance

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    197
    speedtwin69
    Thats very impressive. You should be happy with that.

    I have the taig mill but am just starting on "how to" on the 4th axis.

    Coud you advise for the picture, did you use CNC wrapper ? I am learning on Bobcad

    Nivlek

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    87

    more

    some stuff
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails DSCF5696.jpg   DSCF5695.jpg  
    proper planning prevents piss poor performance

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    3

    Re: STL files and 4th axis

    Gday guys,
    Where is the best place to get the STL files for 4th axis.

    Trevor

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Posts
    16

    Re: STL files and 4th axis

    Nice work on those. What I am wondering though is what are you using to convert the stl files to gcode for a actual 4th axis cnc or are you? I have searched and found some that will do indexing on the 4th axis and from what I am assuming the ones that will do it are going to be fairly high priced pieces of software, like $500 and above. I am using mach 3 on my cnc.

    Oh and yes I do realize this is an old thread but there aren't many that I found that are showing exactly what I was wanting to do with my cnc which is shown in these pictures.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    5728

    Re: STL files and 4th axis

    Look at DeskProto; it's a great program for converting STL files to G-code that will run on the 4th axis, both in indexing mode and with live 4th axis motion. If you're not a commercial user, it's quite a bit cheaper than you're assuming, especially with the discounts we offer.

    Andrew Werby
    computersculpture.com
    Andrew Werby
    Website

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