My first attempt to make something on the 4th axis and the time to make it was going to be 11 hours to make it using 3D modelling tool paths.
I realized that I must be doing something wrong but I was keen to experiment and make a mallet so I improvised.
I assembled some wood to roughly resemble the mallet and used a fluting tool path with a 6mm Ball Nose bit and then a pocket tool path with 19mm bit to make the handle, it took just over 3 hours to make and I still had fun making it but the 3D model would have been better.
Can someone look at the attached file and advise me how to get the modeled version a bit quicker or a better way of making it..
Thanks
Dave
Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
-
- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2019 9:33 am
- Model of CNC Machine: China CNCZOne 6040 4 axis
- Location: Perth West Australia
Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
- Attachments
-
- mallet 4.zip
- (2.46 MiB) Downloaded 49 times
- mezalick
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2980
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:07 am
- Model of CNC Machine: Camaster Cobra
- Location: Philadelphia, PA USA
- Contact:
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
You may want to try the molding toolpath option.
It looks like it would be quicker using your same settings
Michael
It looks like it would be quicker using your same settings
Michael
Michael Mezalick
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com
-
- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2019 9:33 am
- Model of CNC Machine: China CNCZOne 6040 4 axis
- Location: Perth West Australia
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
Thanks Michael I did use the molding tool path for my improvised version I know I said Fluting but I did mean molding.
- Rcnewcomb
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 5915
- Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
- Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Contact:
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
I would recommend using larger tools. For example, I'd use a 1/2 end mill (~12.7mm) for roughing, and a 1" ball nose (~25.4mm) for the finish toolpath.
Also, use a boundary vector to give yourself a bit more control over toolpaths.
Depending on your machine you may be able to significantly increase your feed rates as well. For rotary and 3D work I tend to keep the XY, and Z feed rates all the same.
With the larger tools and faster feed rates on my machine this could be done in under an hour.
Also, use a boundary vector to give yourself a bit more control over toolpaths.
Depending on your machine you may be able to significantly increase your feed rates as well. For rotary and 3D work I tend to keep the XY, and Z feed rates all the same.
With the larger tools and faster feed rates on my machine this could be done in under an hour.
- Attachments
-
- mallet 4BiGTools.zip
- (2.59 MiB) Downloaded 57 times
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
-
- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2019 9:33 am
- Model of CNC Machine: China CNCZOne 6040 4 axis
- Location: Perth West Australia
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
Thank you for your suggestions they both saved a lot of time and gave a good result I think I will also need to look at buying some bigger Ball Nose bits.
Dave
Dave
- Rcnewcomb
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 5915
- Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
- Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Contact:
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
The key to doing faster work on rotary is to use the largest bits possible. In addition to ballnose, look at Barley twist, point roundover, and ogee. Those bits produce wonderful results with simple fluting and profile toolpaths so they are much faster than 3D work.I will also need to look at buying some bigger Ball Nose bits.
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
-
- Vectric Apprentice
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2019 9:33 am
- Model of CNC Machine: China CNCZOne 6040 4 axis
- Location: Perth West Australia
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
I listened to your advice about larger bits on the rotary and it makes a huge difference in machining time and I am surprised that my little machine seems to handle it ok. Probably my lack of confidence stopped me from trying but the floodgates are open now and there are a few 4th axis projects with molding too paths on the drawing board.
Thanks
Dave
Thanks
Dave
- dealguy11
- Vectric Wizard
- Posts: 2486
- Joined: Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:52 pm
- Model of CNC Machine: Anderson Selexx 510
- Location: Henryville, PA
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
Here is another way to make the mallet using a moulding toolpath, cutting around the mallet rather than lengthwise. I don't know what feedrates are reasonable for your machine so I set everything to 200 ipm. At that speed the mallet cuts in 16-30 minutes depending on your machine settings.
Notice that I made the rails for the moulding toolpath a little longer than the circumference so that the toolpath overlaps on the ends. This helps to minimize tooling marks where the tool starts and stops. Make sure you have ramping turned on for clearance and profile toolpaths.
Notice that I made the rails for the moulding toolpath a little longer than the circumference so that the toolpath overlaps on the ends. This helps to minimize tooling marks where the tool starts and stops. Make sure you have ramping turned on for clearance and profile toolpaths.
- Attachments
-
- mallet 4BiGTools MOULDING.crv
- (120.5 KiB) Downloaded 61 times
Steve Godding
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost
Not all who wander (or wonder) are lost
- Rcnewcomb
- Vectric Archimage
- Posts: 5915
- Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
- Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
- Location: San Jose, California, USA
- Contact:
Re: Rotary Model (mallet) Guidance required
We look forward to seeing photos of your creations!the floodgates are open now and there are a few 4th axis projects with molding too paths on the drawing board
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop