Thread: OK so what do you actually use the 4th axis for?

The 4th axis is a rotational version or replacement for x (or y), so you can rout reliefs in cylindrical things.
Instead of the gantry moving along x, it stays stationary, and the W or rotating axis rotates under the cutter in place of x.

Hi, I am thinking of making one eventually when I get the router working, it will be very useful in making gears and as a diving head if you need to make splines and shafts with hex drives etc. it can also be used to make worm drive gears etc, its up to your imagination, but all depend on how it is mounted and the size you make it, there are a couple available on e-bay.....(from China).

one thing to look at is the software needed to make 3D A axis G-code

the 4th axis drive is cheep , but wont do much with out a $1500 cam program

cut3D will g- code for 4 sides , and you can cut and paste "turn 90deg" between each sides g-code , i did it so i didnt have to reclamp 4x per part , just chuck it and replace when its done ( 25 peaces ,same code job )

i also have TurboCADs 2 1/2D CAM plugin , its not an art program , more of a mechanical CAD , gears , screw splines , worm gear , ect , but cant do 3D , close but basicly what you can make on a MILL

I'm on the verge of ordering a Carving CNC 6040 machine and, like many, are tempted by the cheap 4th axis option, but as the OP asks, am at a bit of a loss to know what I'd actually use it for, and as Mr Sniffer points out, to properly exploit it you need the right software (and know how to drive it).

It'd be good to see some real examples and get an idea of what software was required to achieve that result. The most impressive I've seen so far is the French dude who made intricately carved table legs.

Russell.

Dan Sawatzky in Yarrow, Canada does wonders with it.
Here is a link to some pretty impressive stuff
ENROUTE ADVENTURES: Four axis router - first project

He uses Enroute software, coupled with a tremendous imagination, from a few decades or professionalism in the sign and art industry.

More 4-axis stuff here:
ENROUTE ADVENTURES: four axis MultiCam

and this one (Lark Rise sign post)would have to be possibly the most impressive:
ENROUTE ADVENTURES: Lark Rise

(We use Enroute here too, but a much older version-so the workarounds are slightly different-and I haven't bought a 4th axis for our router-it's not a priority at the moment, especially with the cost of the proprietory drive card I'd need.)

here is some ideas for 4th axis

rapeberry wrap - YouTube
small table leg turning - YouTube
trying to design a dust collection for the indexer as the wood chips just fly - YouTube

Love your work Woodman
Thanks for sharing.

Tony.

Get CNC Wrapper for $20 and then you can do quite a few interesting things with your 3 axis software (technically still 3 axis as Y is not used and substituted with A)

I like doing Lithophanes with my rotary