what toolpath for this type of part

[cherokeechief79]

I have a model of a skull and I want to cut it completely around on a rotary on a 3 axis mill.

ive done this many times but ive always done this locked at 0,90,180 and 270 deg.

im only swapping the y axis for the rotary but what toolpath will let me keep spinning the rotary while cutting in z and x?

 

[GoetzInd]

Do you have the multi axis add on?

 

Mike

[cherokeechief79]

_{no its not active. it says 5 axis option not available. cant I do it without this?}

[Guest]

I'd chime in with a yea, you can put toolpath on in but I'm not sure the result is going to be what you want in the end......

 

If you can't get the tool off centerline some of the motions aren't going to be desirable

 

a 5 ax Multisurf is a good path of choice for that kind of part

[cherokeechief79]

thanks for the replies.

there must be something im not seeing here.

I was thinking this would just be x,a and z motion with no need for any off center or additional axis.

[Guest]

The skulls I've seen, no way only 3 axis or axis sub

[The Cathedral]

Depending on how complex it is and/or how good you are at programming, you can do stuff like that using unroll + axis substitution. Like JParis said, you might get some undesirable motion or gouges that way, but I can see it be possible. Of course it would be easier for people to recommend things if there was a file or at least a picture to reference.