3D carving question

[nik_hunter]

Sort of new to the CNC machining world. Just curious to the 3 axis system.

does "Z" axis rotate in order to 3D carve? (not v carve) or would that make it more than 3 axis?

I'm wondering if a Shop Bot can make a sphere, say soccer ball size. Without rotating the table. Not actually looking to make one, but that would say what its limitations are.

to be more clear, I am looking to make a mold for a car bumper. Both positive and negative side and the bumper is somewhat complex.

[richards]

Nik,

The Z-axis moves perpendicular to the table. What you're describing would be a 4 or 5 axis machine.

A clever do-it-yourselfer could build a yoke to add the 4th and 5th axes to the Z-axis on a 3-axis machine, but where would you find affordable software to make a 5-axis machine usable?

[cabnet636]

we are making a life size chess set! when finished the king will be 72" tall and 24" diameter at the base, once you have a 3d fle of your object we import it into "aspire" and use a process called "slicing" to machine layers as thick as a machine will allow (in my case 6" or 3"bit and 3" material) we have tested several weights of foam and have made both positive and negative molds, we will machine our first king today in mdf. so to answer the question of capability then the answer is yes if you intend to do a lot of tall mod work in foam then consider the tall "Z" option
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[wberminio]

James

I would love to see some photos of this project.

thanks

Erminio

[cabnet636]

thanks ermino, i will post more, i am also showing this as it goes along on vectric's aspire forum under "all the king's men" we have been testing various foams weights and epoxy coat methods and began yesterday to carve the first full size out of 3" thick mdf. this project is pretty massive and is being documented. here is one of the 12" tall bishops carved in 15" hdu during the testing, the chess pieces are all truly proportionate with the king starting at 72"

jim
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[dauntless]

Direct link: http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5425

[dauntless]

Wow...this forum seems so...1998-ish. Sheesh!

PS - I guess you'll have to cut-n-paste. This forum's software doesn't seem to be able to recognize a link and make it active.

[beacon14]

active link (http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5425)

The "Help/Instructions" at the bottom of every page tells how to do it.

Very cool project. 3" MDF? You will need a crane to actually make any moves on that chess set!

[billp]

Like this?
http://www.vectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5425&p=36944&hilit=chess#p369 44

[cabnet636]

forklifts!

jim

[mims]

hey Jim, are you guys profiling out the inside of each MDF slice, so as to make a hollow chess piece, or will it be solid?

[cabnet636]

we are placing smaller parts inside, carving then removing excess, we are learning this live!

jim

[gene]

james ,
You are the MAN, How long did it take you to learn this? They look Great

[cabnet636]

i am learning on the fly!!! actually i have an old tyme botter here in columbia who has had artcam for many years, he has aspire now and loves it he is teaching me and participating in the project with us,

update, learned a biiiiigggg lesson about 1/2" end mills 4" long and polished to a mirror finish.

well it slipped and by the time any one caught it the z had tried to drag a 3" thick 4x8' slab of mdf about 6 inches. (fried a motor) had an extra so we are back in business so more pics tommorrow after more carving.

i will say this, one year ago i barely understood cad much less cnc, with the ease of mid weight machines, support like this forum and the support and simplicity of programs like aspire and cabinetpartspro i am finally after 26 years of woodworking really having a good time at this!!

[gene]

What are you saying ? In 26 years i will enjoy this? Then i'll be 74

[cabnet636]

the king is in the building!!'

jim
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[carlosgmarroquin]

oh! that's nice.

[mims]

looks great Jim! Now let's see you pick it up!

[cabnet636]

we hollowed out the interior and it was not as heavy as i thought, with these they will be on wheels

jim

[gene]

I wonder what the largest chess set is in the guinness record book. I guess you play chess?

[cabnet636]

the answer is no, but it looks like i am going to learn

jim

[cabnet636]

mine is bigger

http://www.worldslargestthings.com/california/chessset.htm

jim

[angus_hines]

So you gonna come up and talk about this project on the 9th Jim?...

If not I'll come down and give you a lesson when you get all the pieces assembled.