No, I don’t think you are. The prob would be getting Z to move around the perimeter as the lathe turns. One needs to know where the other is. I think they would have to be two separate jobs. Turn the piece to basic shape and size, then carve.
Then let me complicate the conversation then ; )
In the ice carving world they make a lathe that uses a top mounted endmill (so hanging much like the MPCNC). The profile is a literal hard profile that sits on top of the machine and the tool rides along the profile moving and down as it rolls over the profile.
Here’s the kicker. On the old school ones there is no motor on the rotary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=4gNF1xMJIQA (This guy is manually spinning it more than you need to TBH) Just the spinning of the bit itself turns the ice - kinda gains momentum at 1:35. You can see the hardboard profile on the top of the machine. This one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNJg1jtLF4U uses a low speed motor to spin the ice ad the endmill is CNC controlled on two axis.
1 Like
As an example if your Y axis is now the spinning axis, you line up the X axis along the center line. There are a few videos with this on youtube with my machine and others. You would not want to move in the same direction as the “spinning” axis, as it is already doing that for you.
1 Like
originally, I was wondering if it could be converted to add a 4th axis. The conversation morphed into this. Per your comment, MPCNC is what you sell it as so isn’t it a CNC machine? As for the lathe. well, the 4th and 5th axis is a lathe that turns and moves around for all sides to be cut.
In the end, it got really complicated and I tried to simplify. It’s really not possible to do the 4/5th axis with MPCNC. It makes sense to divide the work into two parts, lathe work, and then carve work if it is possible to create the four sides to be cut repeatedly.
I’ve noticed that people use the machine to do everything. If you just have to cut off edges, use a table saw. Faster than a router machine. Buy the lathe which is significantly cheaper instead of buying a 5 axis CNC machine. The MPCNC isn’t a 100% do all machine. I was wondering if there was an upgrade and if it had the capability to turn wood. It doesn’t.
Sorry for the confusion. Hard to ask a question when you’re not sure what to ask or how to ask it.
There’s a now famous quote on here that I’ve heard Ryan and Heffe use in various forms. Something about using a hammer instead of a marshmallow. I’m sure i got that wrong ; )
HAHAHA
OctoPi is melting my mind…
1 Like
4 Likes
The limited size of the Pocketed NC limits the length of the piece. That enclosure doesn’t look long enough to do more than smaller pieces.
That’s why I was asking if the MPCNC could be upgraded to include the lathe function.
Hahaha Right? Yeah. Sometimes old school is better than fancy crap do-all, which compromises to achieve marginal results. I’d love to figure out how to take something square and using the MPCNC, make rounded, carved posts. It’s all in the drawing files and set up. That’s the hard part, how to create the files so the MPCNC can carve them. Maybe it would have to be six or eight-sided. to carve the faces easily.
But it does, we both linked options earlier? This is why I am I unclear to what you want. You also said it can’t do table legs but it can. We are missing each others point somehow, me and you do this often. When you say this can’t do something I am compelled to prove it can.
Do you have a link to a machine your are picturing? Perhaps an project you you are thinking the “rotary” stuff we linked earlier can not do without another axis worth of control?
Just to add more to this, you can control more axis with Marlin, we have easy access to XYZ, E0 and E1+, you just need to adjust your post processor to output correct Gcode.
Not long ago someone was posting photos of flip carved little birds. I bet that’d be the same way you could do it. Maybe look in the “Stuff I’ve made” threads. It really wasn’t long ago at all. Weeks if that I think?
In fusion you can use up to 4 axis (for free), or even define one of 3 axis as a rotary. Works out of the box from what I understand.
Most just carve a flat project without bother to define an round axis and just let it spin, this works fine until you need it to precisely wrap all the way around. For that you need fusion CAM or better.
Off to the hardware store be back in a bit.
I think I found a video by LeoUrtiz that explains it better for me. I contacted him on his YouTube to explain how he made it work in detail.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=ZUUMavkeaf8
Thanks Ryan.
Exactly what I want to do! Is there a Thingiverse file for that?
Exactly what I want to do! Is there a Thingiverse file for that?
It’s got 4th and 5th axis - $970.00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QAXSwAT3cQ
shows a rotary axis for $350.00 and it shows him programming it to cut the square stock into a round and then cut round into the shape he wants.
So my mistake. I thought it couldn’t be done but it can. I got confused.
Ryan. Thanks, I understood that it couldn’t be done after I downloaded the files to make the parts. I finally get it.
1 Like
I just skimmed through the thread. But I think what Mike is asking for is a rotary axis. Not a lathe. A lathe spins at high speed and makes rounded parts. A rotary axis rotates back and forth and allows the router (or laser) time to do its work. It can be used to make shapes like table legs that are not round. They can be uneven in shape and even have detailed designs.
as for the control software aka the CAM. Was EStlcam planning to that? Or was it a feature in the past? Because at one point in the setup I saw where I could enable axes X,Y,Z and three others. Never played with it but I assumed it was there for a reason. Never knew why.
and I am assuming by this conversation that fusion 360 doesn’t do more than 2.5 D CAM either.
1 Like
Yes! You are correct. A lathe turns. I am talking about the rotary axis. I thought they were the same. Tuesday, I’m ordering my MPCNC so I can start my business this summer. I need to have a rotary axis for some components of the Victorian bed I’m building. I’m going to use Aspire to create the files in. I just found out how to take a square post and have the machine carve to a round post, then carve the designs into the round post. It’s not as complicated as this thread became, but I am grasping all of the tech involved. Finally. I see this coming together. Thanks friend.
FYI, Vector lets people download their software for free with unlimited use time. The trial version does the same as the paid. That being said, here’s a video of how to set up a file to use with a rotary axis: It made all of this so much easier to watch and understand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QAXSwAT3cQ
I thought you might like to check it out.
2 Likes
Hi guys,
Have you tried https://github.com/fra589/grbl-Mega-5X
This is a GRBL fork that can handle 4 or 5 axis.
1 Like
is a 4th/ 5th axis stepper motor. It costs $910.00
is a 4th axis rotary tool and it’s $350.00 if you prefer to buy instead of build your own.
I’m more of a DIYer but sometimes it’s better to not reinvent the wheel.