Re: making an ali flexible coupler

Thanks Jon, you are dead right, I sat down to try and do a tool path
and found exactly what you said I need a rotary axis.

I may do as you say and make a basic coupler and then do another one
as a learning experience, it doesn't sound the easiest of first 4
axis cuts but would teach me a lot I suspect. How to use CNCtoolkit
for a start.

Would I be correct that the 4 axis would have to be pointing upwards
and be tilted to the correct angle for the given helix? You could
then rotate the work piece and lower/raise the cutter simultaneously.
A small disk would be best I guess.

Graham

> I think these are normally made by wire EDM. But, I think you could
> make a servicable one with a slitting saw. You might want to make

it

> like a 3-start thread, so it delivers balanced torque. You don't

want it

> too springy, either. I think you have to already have the rotary

table

> working to accomplish the helical movement. Using the mill head
> straight and parallel to the axis of the coupler would end up with
> very wide cuts and narrow metal fingers connecting the two ends.
> You might try the tubing as a temporary coupler to make the real
> part.
>
> Jon