Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] 5-Axis help

isaiah_bellais wrote:

> Hello all. I am interested in building a 5 axis router mill like the
> one here: http://www.ctek-on-line.com/5axisgm2.html. Of course the
> one I have in mind is much smaller.
> A little back ground; I am a beginner industrial designer and know
> that some of the big companies have their prototypes built in these
> big machines. Most of the work that I do can easily be done on a
> smaller 5-axis gantry mill. I would like to mill something in a 2'-
> 3' cube area. Has anyone attempted to build anything like this? Is
> it feasible? I'm a bit lucky that I can get an aluminum frame built
> for next to nothing

Stop right there! What do you want to make? If you intend to carve parts
out of wood, an aluminum-framed machine may do, depending on the precision needed.
If you intend to cut metal, on a 2 x 3 FOOT machine, I seriously doubt you
can afford enough aluminum to build such a machine. Also, if you intend
to make precise parts, the aluminum machine may not be rigid enough
for that size.

> but my main problem is the drivers to run the
> stepper motors. The 5-axis drivers are considerably more expensive
> than their 3-axis siblings.

Why can't you buy 5 one-axis drivers? Or, how about 2 3-axis drivers,
and leave one channel as a spare?

> Why? I have no knowledge of electronics
> so I can't design a driver myself. I've noticed tons of home built 3-
> axis drivers on the web but can't seem to find any 5-axis drivers.
> Has anyone on this discussion board built a driver for this type of
> application? If so, are you willing to help a struggling student? :)
> Am I in over my head?

Yes, at this point, I think you are definitely in over your head. Don't buy
anything, and don't have anybody make any parts for you until you have
a better picture of how it all fits together and what your requirements are.

> Although I'm not very knowledgeable with
> electronics, I am very technical and don't get discouraged easily. I
> have been researching this for about two weeks now and am hung on
> this one problem.

Ah, well, I researched about 5 years before plunging in! There are a lot more
people doing this now, however.

Jon