what would be the best 4 axis tool paths

[coryharris323]

i have been asked to machine a this one of a kind motorbike crankshaft for a customer that someone else had started then pulled the pin on what i am after is the best best 4th axis paths or operations to machine this we will be buying some tooling for this  job either a 14mm or 16mm tool that will give me around 100mm tool length

cheers for the help

cory

[porsbym]

You can use the Rotary strategy for finishing, and few indexed Adaptive Clearing for roughing.

[coryharris323]

will rotary tool path do cyclic machining or will i need to set the job up on the centre line of the bearing journal. By indexed adaptive paths do you mean set the machine up at 0 degrees let it work as a 3 axis machine then rotate on the 4th axis 180 and let it machine the second half

[seth.madore]

Yes, it will be cyclic machining. There are other shops that are using Rotary for the exact same purpose; crankshafts!

And yes; regarding the roughing; use Tool Orientation and divide the roughing up into quadrants. You can go 0-90, 90-180 etc etc, or break into 3 equal chunks, whatever is best for your needs and your tooling