I like it...my next build will be along these lines. I did programming for turbine blade manufacturing for the big jet engine and power generation manufacturing companies and this configuration is just like a few of the machines I programmed.

Can you tell me the controller you are using for 5 axis motion?

 

I guess I should also ask if the machine is capable of 5-axis simultaneous motion?

 

Can you tell us which 8 axis controller you used?

 

I am new to building CNC home built machines. In fact I only started on my first one a month ago.
I have been in manufacturing and CNC programming commercially built machines for a quite a while so...
I am hoping to build a 5-axis for a fairly reasonable cost. And in order to do that at my price point I am thinking the controller board capable of handling 5-axis of stepper or servo motor motion is in the $150 to $300 range.

The only one I have seen that looks like it will meet my specs is this one:

USB Mach4 CNC 3/4/6 Axis Motion Control Card Breakout Board 2MHz F CNC Engraving | eBay

I was hoping you could tell me exactly which one you used and not just 'any 8 axis controller board' because I'm new to building and being specific will allow me to see the specs and learn what makes that specific controller board a good choice.

As far as programming the need to understand the kinematics of the machine and then the post processor used to generation the g and m code program needs to have the geometry of the machine specified so it can output the relationships of all axis of motion correctly.

 

Awesome machine!!

 

Thank you!!!!

 

Many 5-axis machines that started out as 3-axis machines have auxiliary trunnion/rotary table setups have the flat surface of the rotary table going through the centerline of the trunnion. This was to make manual programming easier back when they were used for rotation and orientation positioning. Not absolutely necessary if the post processor will allow to specify offsets in the machine kinematics.

Siemens PLM NX CAD/CAM software which started out as a CNC programming software back in the 1970's when it was owned and developed by McDonnell-Douglas was one of the first all in one design and programming software packages that was capable of 5-axis programming. It isn't cheap but it is pretty nice to use. If you have the software you get the Post Processor development kit that lets you build custom posts for any configuration of a machine you might want to build.
Open Mind is another 5-axis software. It is designed for 5-axis free form surface machining.

 

I have a 800w water cooled spindle 0-24000 RPM ER11 collet. My plan for this spindle is to machine aluminum. I don’t plan on heavy cuts.

Obviously perhaps too heavy and too big for a 5 axis machine.

 

HC, really nice looking machine!
i'm hoping you might be able to assist me in my journey.
i have been making wooden fishing lures for the past 2 decades and they come along way.
i put a router on a lathe and followed a template. I have been learning F360 and have been able to create some pretty shapes (at least in CAD).
I have attached some target ideas.
I would have the round or rectangle stock on your circular table (mounted at "tail of lure")
My largest anticipated stocks would be @ 50mm x 50mm x 250mm - this would be extremely large
A typical finished lure is about 125mm long x 25mm round(ish).
Your pencil is pointing at the face of the lure, see the image with the "red splashing face") this is the top in my CAD file.
I am assuming that the machine would be able to get the face and all sides and angles necessary to complete?

How can we work towards making a machine that makes fishing lures?
Can i send you a file to examine?

I am very excited!!!

 

more questions...
Where did you source that super cool rotating table/slider/ system?
can you share some details on the build??