[Reboot]

Pleased to announce new website

www.CNCWrapper.com 4th axis made easy.

CNCWrapper V2 is a low cost, easy to use and very fast program which will convert a 2 1/2D or 3D Gcode program into Gcode suitable for 4th axis rotary machining.

Features include Rounding gcode generator, Syntax highlighting and more.

Visit www.CNCWrapper.com to download your demo software. The Demo version will convert and save your code so you can run the code on your machine.


Andrew

[mostagear]

the site looks very promising .. has any one tested it ??
if what's said is true , it will be much better than 4th axis expensive cam software,,

[ger21]

There's some info on version 1 of the wrapper, which is free, and there's also a link to it in the thread.
http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6449

[Greolt]

the site looks very promising .. has any one tested it ??
if what's said is true , it will be much better than 4th axis expensive cam software,,

I have used version 1 for some time. The new CNCWrapper 2 is greatly improved. Very fast. Nice clean interface.

It also has a rounding feature. This will produce a toolpath to machine a rough piece of stock into a cylinder so then you can wrap, say a vee-carved toolpath, around that cylinder.

I grabed a copy of the new version as soon as it was available. Twenty bucks is chicken feed.

Don't think that this is real 4th axis software though. What it does is take a XY plane toolpath and wrap it around your rotary axis.

Real 4th axis software is often beyond what most hobiests can afford.

CNCWrapper is a great way to adapt toolpaths from existing 2D or 3D CAM to a rotary axis within the limitations of the process.

It is not real 4th axis CAM but opens up a huge range of possibilities for the CNC hobiest.

I have no pecuniery interest in this program, just a very happy user.

Greg

[dertsap]

looks like a nice simple program
Greg what do you use to simulate the tool path , do you use anything ?

[mcphill]

There's some info on version 1 of the wrapper, which is free, and there's also a link to it in the thread.
http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6449

And this one has a actual link to the free version program...

http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2920

[Greolt]

looks like a nice simple program
Greg what do you use to simulate the tool path , do you use anything ?

I don't do full simulation, but do backplot with either Mach3 toolpath view or NCplot.

NCplot works well but unfortunately the free version does not do 4th axis.

However Mach3 does a pretty good representation if set correctly.

It is a bit hard to see from a static pic. Much easier when you can 3D pan, but here is a pic of the toolpath view in Mach of the roadrunner.

Greg

.

[dertsap]

However Mach3 does a pretty good representation if set correctly.



.

thanks Greg
I'll have to do some reading and figure out how to setup mach properly , its always showed my code in three axis and I assumed it wouldn't show it in 4 , I'm redoing my 4th so I'll most likely be adding this software to my software arsenal very soon

[Greolt]

It is not complex.

Set "A-Rotations Enabled" in Toolpath Configuration.

Select which axis your 4th axis rotates about.

Depending on your toolpath, or where Z zero is, you may need to enter a value in the "Rotations Diameter" DRO on the settings page. In this case it should be called "Rotations Radius"

Greg

.

[dertsap]

much appreciated

[Khalid]

Reboot.. any chances for beta testing on my setup?

[mostagear]

thanks Greolt .

is CNCWRAPPER able to do rotary milling around a cone .. i mean wrap a tool path around a cone as well as cylinder?

i didn't try it before , but i just thinking that when wrapping a flat tapered toolpath around a cylinder it will produce cone like shape..
sounds logic or ..!!

[Khalid]

I am thinking of machining a eagle-claw leg similar to the attached picture.. but can you tell me how can i do that on your wrapper software?... How can i unwrap it first or what software i can use to unwrap..any suggestions?

[mostagear]

khlaid,

IMHO , for the is product .. CNCWRAPPER will not help .. u need u real 4 axis cam software, that deals directly with the cad file without wraping and unwraping issue.

[Greolt]

I am thinking of machining a eagle-claw leg similar to the attached picture.. but can you tell me how can i do that on your wrapper software?...

Khalid

The concept of wrapping a XY plane type, 2D or 3D toolpath, around a cylinder should not be confused with real 4th axis CAM.

There is scope to depart a certain amount from a straight cylinder but too much and distortion becomes a factor.

I think you need real 4th axis CAm for your eagle claw.

Download the software and have a look. It will operate in demo mode for a time.

Greg

[Khalid]

Thanks Greolt.. Indeed a nice software with very low price and high functionality.

[Kool Parts]

I have a little project of lettering and numbers around a cyl coming up. Might just be the ticket
Gary

[Greolt]

I have a little project of lettering and numbers around a cyl coming up. Might just be the ticket

.

CNCwrapper is ideal for such a project.

I made up an engraving toolpath for a graduated dial. I used VcarvePro but this could be done in SheetCam, LazyCam, Dolphin, Cut2D, CamBam or any one of a hundred CAM programs.

The first pic shows the layout as done in VcarvePro.

Second shows the resultant toolpath as loaded in Mach3 before wrapping. Still on the XY plane.

Third pic is CNCWrapper doing the conversion. Straight forward and just takes a few seconds.

CNCWrapper does not care what controller you are using, Mach3, TurboCNC, WinCNC, EMC2 or any one of a hundred controllers so long as it is standard gcode.

And finally the Wrapped toolpath loaded in Mach3 ready to cut.

Actually the pics are not displayed in the order I wanted but you get the idea.

Greg
.

[Switcher]

Are the numbers in the Mach3 screenshot reversed?

[Greolt]

No they are not.

It is a bit hard to get the right perspective from a two dimensional pic.

Much easier to see when you can 3D pan. Just give it a bit of a twiddle and all is clear.

The 0 and 1 are closest to the viewer and the 5 and 6 are furthest away.

Greg