Been a while,, life gets in the way. Anyhow:
Hobbyist level, I have built 3D printers and refurbished an old Epilog Laser, Now I am looking at building a task specific 4 axis router for gun stocks.
I have seen what appears to be 2 distinct styles of carving a gun stock on a 4 axis router.
one has the 4th axis just "indexing" the stock and the tool carving Longitudinal as shown in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5_nT1hsQf8
The other is where the stock continually rotates on the 4th axis as it is carved "Radially" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik_UKwVTMv8
Questions:
Is one method better than the other?
Does it require different CAM packages to perform one or the other?
What would be a good "Hobbyist" CAM package to perform one, the other, or both?
It looks like they are using a Ball end bit for their carving, for the final cut it would seem the point of contact/cut would be infinitely small, requiring the passes to be in the millions for a smooth finish without ridges?
I have found books and articles explaining generic CNC router theories, but nothing in depth dealing with 4th axis, bit choice and carve paths for desired results,, Does anyone have a good source for reading material for these subjects,
Many Thanks,
Slack