I’m a part time CNC machinist. Self taught for 7 years, and not seeing much growth. I decided to take on 5-axis milling. The start is slow. I know what I want to do, but I can’t find the toolpath that comes closest to that vision. I keep backing up until I find the least complex toolpath that will take metal off the stock. I use Mastercam 2018. Im ready to install Mastercam 2019. Maybe I should try using Autodesk Fusion 360 first. I can follow 5-axis tutorials, but just cant “wing it” from a part of my own.
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Hello Jeff,
Welcome to the group. I would definitely check out the Fusion 360 since it’s not going to cost anything to give it a try and there is a whole lot of tutorial help. From to access lathe 3 axis Mill and progresses all the way up to 5-axis Machining. It’s free to download Fusion to learn. The way I see it you don’t have anything to lose. Hope you have a great day.
Welcome and wish I could help out more on 5 axis toolpaths but I haven’t done them in a few years
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Hi Jeff,
One help is to rough with the rotaries stationary by just positioning them and using 3D/2.5D tool path setting boundaries to stay within. Then use 5 axis paths for finishing when necessary. Create and/or set planes in each tool path… that let’s mcx know where to position the rotaries for the 3D/2.5D paths.
Not sure if that helps since I don’t know exactly what your having a problem with.
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Thank you!! I see so many amazing renders coming from Fusion 360. I usually have only one question, “How long did it take to create that model?”
As with any project, I want to know how long it took to complete it. If I do the same job, but it takes me twice as long, then I want to know what I am doing wrong!!
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Thank you!!
Would you say that your thinking changes when working in 5-axis?
I recently mastered working in planes defined by the solid, but for reasons unknown to me, 5-axis is like setting up a tool in the XY plane but the toolpath is really in XZ and the software (Mastercam) tells you nothing. You get the NC gen and a file size of 0.01Kb. That is what 5-axis feels like.
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Thank you!!
Yes, that makes perfect sense to do as much as you can before turning on two rotaries.
I will see what I can do about bringing my project into the forum.
It is milling contours on a cylinder. Eventually I would like to control the angle of cut of the contour on a cylinder as you would for any ball end mill work. For now, I would accept follow the contour on a cylinder!!
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What I suggest is repetition. In now way am I great at modeling in Fusion but I have the willpower not to give up and great friends here to help me were I come short.
I am sure if you put my Modeling skills up agents @Billy-Boyce he would blow me away.
But I am pretty sure I could take him in an arm wrestling match. 
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lol Stilt
I’ve been awarded “best tech of the month” or “best turnkey of the year” and such thru my career. When people ask how I did it I say…
“It’s persistence not smartness”. Take the time to figure it out correctly and find good resources to help you. Just because someone sells a good product does not meen they know how to apply it in all it’s functionality. Always check into things for yourself… don’t just take someone’s word for it.
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If I go back to something I did in fusion 4 years ago its a WTF, practice does makes it better and easier.
I find in fusion it pays to just try and try again, things are the fusion way. The this program does it this way most times does not happen that way in fusion at all you have to go with the flow other wise you will not get it.
What helps is knowing RULE 1 and 2 (what is a raging battle with EE and Autodesk staff) https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/fusion-360-r-u-l-e-1-and-2/td-p/6581749 in general looking here helps as well https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/tips-and-tutorials-to-help-you-get-started/td-p/7003419
One other thing that can help is just going through all of the titans of cnc models and just doing it the way it is showen then looking at the other stuff.
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