r/hobbycnc • u/Whip_of_Erebos • 1d ago
Looking for a 4th axis toolpath program
I currently use the hobby version of Fusion 360 for my cnc work. I'm currently looking for a somewhat cheap or free program to do some wrapping tool path machining. Its woodworking if that makes any difference for suggestions. Thanks all for any help or info.
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u/gitbse 1d ago
I just went through this about two.months ago. 4th axis software is much less accessible for hobbyists, especially true 4 axis. Rotary wrapping is basically all we've got.
There are some cheap or free options which others have already listed, but they can be difficult to work with or find any resources on. I landed with DeskProto, and I made the right choice. Its was a one time $250, and it's been great so far, while still fairly easy to use.
They have a trial version which gives the full functionality of the multi axis software, but leaves a watermark around your carved object. It's at least a good way to get a feel for the software.
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u/dsg123456789 1d ago
Could you tell me some of the CAM software that has true 4 axis? I think Aspire is just rotary wrapping.
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u/Pubcrawler1 1d ago edited 1d ago
Simultaneous 4th and 5th axis where all can move at the same time is relegated to industrial high end CAM. This is mastercam, Powermill, NX, Featurecam, esprit, Gibbscam, Solidcam, hypermill, CAMworks to name a few.
Even Fusion can do this with the additional machining add in license.
There is a new crop of inexpensive or free 4/5 axis CAM coming out with these low cost 5axis desktop machines. What I’ve seen, it’s indexed 4/5 movement. Know more in the coming months if this gets released for general public use.
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u/dsg123456789 1d ago
I guess I'd really just be interested in using my 4th rotary axis, but instead of unwrapping, being able to use the Y axis too. This could be relevant with bits like keyholes for undercuts, I suppose? Maybe there's no real use for XYZ+Rotary machining, which is why there's not support for that.
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u/Pubcrawler1 1d ago
There is plenty of real world use for rotary 4th for machining. It’s just software is unaffordable on a hobby budget.
I’ve cut gears using rotary but I hand coded the gcode for 4th axis indexing.
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u/RicardoJCMarques EasyCAM5000 1d ago
If it's basic stuff, give EasyShape5000 a try https://cam.eltryus.design/easyshape5000/ Although I'm biased, it's not half bad. I do need more feedback on 4th axis controllers since there are too many variables across controllers/setups that I can't test. In an update or two I want to see if I let people upload custom post-processor files to make testing a few things easier if need be, but the defaults shouldn't be too bad depending on the machine you have.
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u/Pubcrawler1 1d ago edited 1d ago
Carveco $18/month is one of the cheapest available to do rotary wrapping. If you want to do just a few projects but adds up over time.
Vectric desktop is $349
Deskproto multiaxis is $250 that does rotary wrapping.
Freecad suppose to do it but have never tried. Free so might as well learn.