Hello everyone. I am a complete newbie when it comes to CNC other than some basic experience using my Carvewright. I am in the process of planning a more robust CNC machine purchase and would really appreciate some input on the 4th axis lathe options. I am specifically contemplating one of the Recoil Lathe options on a Camaster machine (Stinger).
As I understand it, the lathe option simply allows a x-y-z axis router to cut on a cylindrical surface by simply rotating in indexed steps. I assume the lathe just turns from index to index rather than actually spinning at high speed like a regular lathe?
If I have a flat carving (such as of some grapes), I assume that I can "wrap" that carving around a curved substrate using software like Aspire. This would then generate the tool paths to generate the carving on a cylindrically symmetrical substrate (ie a column). Is that the only use for this approach? I would assume we are talking about making decorative cylinders with this approach (ie candlesticks, table legs, columns).
Here's my question. If I was to create a solid object in a modeling program (such as Rhino, for example) that had cylindrical symmetry. For example, a fire hydrant shape or some such. Would the approach best suited to carving this three dimensional structure (as a prototype) be carving it from a block on the standard table or is this the type of thing that works best with an indexing lathe? I am concerned that there are some software issues that I am unaware of involved in this process. I do realize that there are some cost issues involved since some of the 4th axis add on packages are pretty pricey.
Bottom line: I'd like to better understand the capabilities of an indexing lathe attached to a cnc table and perhaps know more about its capabilities other than just "painting" a carving onto a cylinder. Any input would be greatly appreciated from the gurus.
Thanks.