BurrMan,
thanks for the video, very instructive.
I'm sure this method is fine for true cylindrical object. For example, with a leg like below, it might be a lot easier to generate the gcode with a true 4 axis toolpathing software or better yet, a true 5 axis program. Though some learning is required, the CNCToolkit can do this easy and a lot more for free in combination with GMax (also free).
But the CNCToolkit is not a true CAM software, it basically generate a basic spline, 2D or 3D, the raw toolpath and projects it on the surface of an object you want to machine and the projected spline edited or not is translate to gcode for 3, 4, 5 and maybe even 6 axis CNC.
By this I mean the hole leg gcode as all the XYZA code and not just the XZA code. Here, ( http://code.google.com/p/cnctoolkit/downloads/list) if you download the 4-axis video, either the AVI or SWF format, it shows the steps to create a 4-axis toolpath for a gunstock. using the CNCtoolkit with GMax.
I received an email from BobCad recently, annoncing BobArt PRO V24 and amoung the new features it provides a softening tool and a couple of others as well that sound promissing. Anyway, I haven't decided yet which route I'll go software wise, but Moi is certainly my first choice up to now.
Thanks,
Felix
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