5 axis Laser?

[Robstar]

Has anyone ever heard of Mastercam ever being used to program a 5 axis laser?

 

Ive been using Mastercam for a long long time and have taken over a programmer position in our Laser department to program a 5 axis laser.

 

The software is a plugin for Mechanical desktop 2004, and let me tell you IT SUCKS. I wont get into details but lets just say I want to quit if this software is my only choice in the matter.

 

The guys doing the programming before me have no idea what good software should do, and I cant stand this massive downgrade.

 

Ive heard of people using Mastercam for programming flat bed lasers, but anyone ever hear of a 5 axis being programmed? Would it just be a matter of making a custom post from a normal Mill 5 axis tool path?

[Colin Gilchrist]

I would highly recommend talking with the guys at AI Solutions. You can purchase a 5 axis lazer post already finished with no hassle.

 

http://www.ai-sols.co.jp/eng/index_eng.htm

 

HTH,

 

Colin Gilchrist

The Boeing Company

MR2 and Beta test site

[John Summers]

Yes, it's just a postprocessor change. Not much of one, either. It would be just like programming a 5-axis mill. Just choose the mill configuration that matches the laser.

[Thad]

Rob,

 

I think we're using the same software for our laser. I'm not involved with it, but our laser guy says that is runs in conjuction with MDT.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thad

[Jack Neelands™]

welcome robstar...yes you can....talk to your reseller and the guys here can help you along...just have to keep an eye on your projection all the time that is all

[JG]

Robstar,

I use MasterCam for our 5 axis laser programming (along with UG sometimes), I modified the MpGen5x pst and it works excellent. If it is a head/head machine you need to watch for the rotary(s) filpping 180 deg during the cut, MpGen5x has provisions for this that work great. Good luck!

 

Jg.

[Doug Nemeth CNC Software Sales]

Rob-

 

OCC (Orange County Choppers)just took delivery of a Flow 5-axis waterjet and they use Mastercam to program it. We actually have video of it, but it's in the final stages of being edited and not redy quite yet. When it is, we'll post in on our web site.

[Allan Brown]

What make/model? We've done plenty.

[MATT Q]

I would be very interested in seeing video of a 5 axis waterjet in action. who else would be?

[Jack Neelands™]

Doug let us know when you get it up on the ftp site ...inquiring minds want to know

[Allan Brown]

NTC TLM 610? If it's the same machine, we gave 'er a stab with Beta V7 and had some issues. We've come a bit further in our 5-Axis toolpaths since then... Should be able to get you programming with Mastercam.

[Jimmy Wakeford from Barefoot CNC]

We have done several 5ax lasers. Most are pretty simple, but some run on odd code rather than gcode. You also have to turn the tracking off on some them when doingparts with tight radius

[Christian Raebild]

We have also made post processors for 5 axis lasers, so it can certainly be done. You would probably be best off paying someone to make the post processor for you, as there are probably some important details that have to be considered.

 

Which control is there on that 5 axis laser ?

[Robstar]

Thanx guys, Im gonna give our local dealer a call.

 

Cheers.

[Robstar]

The machine is an NTC TLM-610

 

The control is also NTC and the model number is TDLC-04R

 

Anybody have any success getting a post to work with a similar setup?

 

I am a laser Noob, and dont know what Im talking about quite yet.