5 axis fun :-)
 

I finally got some time to have fun with my new 5 axis machine and what better use than porting heads :-) I have been machining these for a local shop and they are really looking good. The video has just been uploaded so I'm not sure if it will be ready yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lsS05SbYyI

Bob

Sick! Some guys have all the cool toys:D

Thats the same motion I try to give my wife...can I get the program?

Was that a practice/setup run?
No coolant flow or metal flying that I could see?

I had just machined the port so I ran the program again with the coolant off to record the video. It is hard to show much with the coolant on.

Bob,
That is amazing, keep it coming!! I'll be willing to send you some heads, best.,Juan.

That is awesome! I too would be interested in the CAD file and program.

This particular program is for converting a 911T head into an early S head. Ths finished head is a dead match and it does both intake and exhaust ports along with injector tapping if needed. There are also programs in the works for 3.0 small port heads into big port heads, and some really cool projects for the big engines (3.6) but I am not supposed to discuss those, yet :-)

Awesome!!

Best,

Hey Bob, you able do any plastic injection moulds with that machine of yours? Or stamp/die stuff?

Neat!

Nice work Bob:
I just bought an old milling machine on Ebay for some head work. The last time I operated a milling machine, there was no CNC. The fact is, I just saw this thread on my way to the classifieds to look for early big port heads. Let me know if you need more practice!
Pat

Bob - did you buy that thing!? Thats a million dollar machine!

I guess I could do molds but I don't really have any experience in that area. Mostly I do prototype work and test equipment design and fabrication. I also do small run production.

I plan to do many more of these though I am making them for a local shop. If you PM me I will pass along their information so you can contact them directly.

Yup, I bought it and now I get to pay for it :-) Machinery really is pretty reasonable these days. No where near $1 million :-) The programming and running of it is the difficult part.

Thats amazing bob. Well if I can think of anything that I need milled I will send it your way. Good luck with it.

Too true on that comment Bob. So many of our clients think that the machine does all the work!!! But as you know, it's all in the programming and the knowledge to know the sequence of toolpaths.

What cad/cam are you using? I've been programming with Surfcam now for about 8 years, running also on Haas CNC centers. They're good machines for the money.

Anyway, we're only running 3 axis, so the 5 axis you have there looks cool!


Matt

Matt,

I am designing with ProE and doing the CAM with Mastercam advanced multiaxis. I am using Predator software for the NC machine verification and this is similar to Vericut in what it does. You notice how close the head gets to the spindle towards the end of the program? It makes the first run very stressful :-) 5 axis surfacing programs are also huge because there is no ability for the machine to generate arcs in 5 axis, so no toolpath filtering.

Bob

Too cool. Those things have come a long way since I used to program them back in college. What does a setup like that cost these days?

-Wayne

The machine with trunnion is ~$100k and the software (Mastercam, ProE, and Predator) adds another $30k. Not too bad considering what can be done with it.

Bob

Very nice Bob.

I use Mastercam X and Predator also, but haven't had the opportunity to use a 5-axis machine yet.