Is there any free software 4 axis CAM out there?
I’d like to have a look at how other people are coding some parts.
My first idea would be “standard” 3-axis strategies (drop-cutter aka z-projection, or waterline aka xy-projection) that run on a model that has been rotated (as if stock on a trunnion table)
depending on the contact-points we get from this, we might choose to iterate and look for trunnion-angles+xy positions of the tool that give optimal cutting conditions.
anything else and I think you need to assume that you know something about the model, or the surface is given in parametric form to you, or something similar?
I know how to create 4 axis toolpathes.
I have written a 4+5 axis CAM prototype software already. It’s just too slow for complex models.
I want to look at existing software to see about efficient data models and hitpoint-calculation for tools from arbitrary angles.
http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/
I found this during one of my searches for free CAM software/plugin.
Yes, that one has all the interesting code (data model, hit test) hidden in 3D Studio Max/GMax.
I’ll have a closer look later anyway.