I've been running a 3 axis (X/Y/Z) CNC machine for a few years, so I'm reasonably comfortable with basic 3 axis CAD and CAM. For a specific application I'm considering building a 4 axis machine
With reference to the images below, I'm looking at what is essentially a CNC lathe (parts held along the X axis, spun as axis A), with a spindle that can travel up and down (axis Z) and along the length of the object to turn (axis X). I'd like to also be able to rotate the spindle around the Y axis (Axis B). The spindle centre would remain in the XZ plane - i.e. it cannot move forward/backward on the Y axis (essentially like a 5 axis machine, but where Y would always be 0).
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I'm assuming https://www.cnczone.com/forums/uncat...70276-cam.html might be relevant in terms of choosing CAM software, but as a "rotational axis noob" I'm trying to get my head around how the machine would be set up in the CAM software - as it would need to understand the centre of rotation of the spindle (axis B), the tool protrusion from that centre, and (I assume) some data on the dimensions of the spindle body and gantry, in order to avoid collisions. E.g.. "if I tip the spindle by 90 degrees so the cutter is horizontal, can I reach the bottom of a bowl without the machine colliding with the workpiece"?
Anyone care to educate me how this is done? It's all much easier in the 3 axis world!