[baseball43v3r]

was kind of curious if anyone has found any opensource material on a 5 axis cnc router head design. i saw one site floating around the web that had a 5 axis machine that was home built but there were no plans or real information on it. besides the typical commercial lines, is there anything opensource/relatively cheap that can be found?

[Mel White]

Describe the type of work you want to do and I can help with 5 axis? What type of machine will you use?
Mel White

[cgosnell]

I agree that you need to define what you want to do with 5-axis.

Most people really want 3+2 (3 axis motion + 2 axis positioning)

Even in the aerospace industry, this is the norm for all but turbine impellers, etc...

Just my $.02

Chris Gosnell
Gosnell Design

[baseball43v3r]

well as and architecture student we do a lot of complex models that are mulitsided so this would the primary application. possibly what you suggest cgosnell might be more suited, but i was mainly looking for some basic info on designs and so forth. primarily it would cut blocks of either of foam or wood, and possibly a lot of abstract shapes.

[Paulo E.]

I don't see how a router can have 5 axis, all the same I do get what your saying about doing some complex shapes. Odds are that most of the things you will do are 3 axis in nature using 3D machining to put all 3 axis in motion. For a router to have 2 more axis, you would need a table that pivots axially and diametrically. If you need really complex shapes, I suggest you look into a rapid forming techniques such as Stereolithography (SLA) or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). Considering the type of work you do, that's were I would put my money at before investing in a 5 axis machine.

[ger21]

I don't see how a router can have 5 axis

The tool rotates in two axis.

[opusinwood]

I have an old radial arm saw that basically has the 2 extra axis -turns around 360 & drops through 180. It could be used as the spindle motor. but its not small and would need a large strong gantry and z axis to carry it.

look at radial arm saws
I think its an interesting challenge.

http://opusinwood.com
beautiful designs Beautiful woods

[steel2chips]

Baseball, I don't have any suggestions WRT opensource, but followed a couple of links from your link, and the pictured router plans are available for $150. Not free, but not to bad a price IMHO.

FWIW I was impressed with the machine... gives me lots of ideas. Thanks for the link.

Steel2chips

[baseball43v3r]

hmm well after i did a little digging of my own i believe this ( http://www.doughtydrive.com/products.html ) was the site you came up with, and while the plans cost 150 dollars to build their machine you would have to email for a price on the rotary heads, which i think i'll do in a little bit. thanks everyone for the input so far!

[ronald44181000]

If it weren't for people like you and your latest find, the rest of us would still be living in the dark ages

[ronald44181000]

Checkout www.youtube.com as there is a video there of a five axis router their. Anther member has a webste at www.cnc4free.com and he has a 6 axis CNC Router and rights a plugin for GMax that creates the necessary nc. code touse it.

[vger]

baseball,
I recall seeing some heads similar to that a long time back on ebay. They were single rotary axis heads that could be stacked together. Perhaps a couple of gearmotor heads with an L bracket ?

Steve