On a lightweight hobby machine, any increase in rigidity is welcome. With 5-axis, a part can be tilted to allow a shorter tool to get down in a pocket, thus allowing for more rigidity and less tendency for the tool to deflect and chatter. It isn’t even just a question of something curvy like the helmet. Many parts that require a lot of undercutting will be much more difficult without 5 Axis CNC. – Machine Parts Not Otherwise Possible: Let’s face it: something like the helmet shown in the video wouldn’t even be possible without 5 Axis CNC. With fewer setups, or perhaps even just 1 setup, this source of error is eliminated. – Better Accuracy: Every time you change a setup, a little error will creep in. No need for complex fixturing and lots of setups with 5 axis giving the cutter better access. This is especially helpful for the hobbyist who may only be trying to make a one-off part. – Fewer Setups: When you can get at nearly every face of the part except for the very bottom, you have fewer setups needed. The result is a far better surface finish, especially on complex 3D curves.
#HSMWORKS 5 AXIS MANUAL#
– Better Surface Finish = Less Manual Cleanup Work: By tilting the workpiece just right, the optimal engagement between cutter and material is obtained. We’ve written about the advantages of 5 Axis CNC before, but a quick recap here is in order. How can you not love this cool 5-axis vid? Gimme, gimme, gimme!īut there are sound practical reasons to want to do 5 Axis as well. That’s primal Maker juice at its best, and we’ll trot out this popular 5-axis video just to get those juices flowing: Given that 5 Axis is not at all easy or common, even for Pros, why would a hobbyist want 5 axis? Sure, there’s always the desire to push the envelope, to do something the mainstream hasn’t done yet. Let’s have a look at recent developments in this area, but first: Yes, the hardware is complex and most 5 Axis CAM is still expensive, but there are an increasing number of proof points that is is possible to have a go at 5 axis CNC for the hobbyist. Much of this has now changed fairly recently. Not only is the hardware complex, but 5 Axis CAM was expensive. If you’d asked me up until very recently whether 5 axis was practical for the CNC DIY’ers and Makers, I would’ve said “No!” without hesitation.