5 Axis CNC edge polishing

[mike@BMG]

Just saw a video of a Denver Unika 5 hitting the edge by turning the spindle to 90*.....no more lines?.....
Just wondering if anyone out there with a 5 Axis CNC does this, and eliminates the lines?
Is this the solution to the famous CNC edge polishing lines?

[Mark Smith]

90 degree Aggregate Heads exist for that type of polishng. There is even a head that is a diamond chainsaw Post the video of the Denver.

[bryce]

i wondered the same thing... if on my new saw i could set up a jig somehow to run backsplash, similar to a pro-edge. I dont have an edge machine yet and it might be a way to keep the saw running even when we dont have slabs to cut.

[mike@BMG]

At 40 seconds it starts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wednUwktKww

[Cevin Moberly]

you should be able do that with any 4 axis CNC. This is the SPEED. The back side of the Saw transmission has a second exit half gas connection for this work.

https://youtu.be/xh0fT4OUPac

[Alex DiPietro]

In theory yes. All these five axis saws are capable of spinning a tool exactly where you want. But the catch is a you have to have very precise location for any type of polishing. Not really feasable unless you have an aluminum table with pods. I know denver and omag offer this as an option... But really you need the software to do this. Bryce most likely your saw comes with easycut. You would need a full version of easystone to program such work. Most saws come with sawing software, the software for the five axis work is generally more money. At which point you'd have to ask if itd just be a novelty. Most likely I'd say yes. Bryce you'll be able to put out a ton of tops, but honestly all this talk about only sawing for a few hours hasn't been our reality. While we spit out cut parts now, I find the saw has little down time sabi always have something to throw on it.

[bryce]

yeah nick kind of said the same thing, basically in theory its possible but the programming/reality would be a nightmare compared to just doing it by hand.

[deepwater]

In theory yes. All these five axis saws are capable of spinning a tool exactly where you want. But the catch is a you have to have very precise location for any type of polishing. Not really feasable unless you have an aluminum table with pods. I know denver and omag offer this as an option... But really you need the software to do this. Bryce most likely your saw comes with easycut. You would need a full version of easystone to program such work. Most saws come with sawing software, the software for the five axis work is generally more money. At which point you'd have to ask if itd just be a novelty. Most likely I'd say yes. Bryce you'll be able to put out a ton of tops, but honestly all this talk about only sawing for a few hours hasn't been our reality. While we spit out cut parts now, I find the saw has little down time sabi always have something to throw on it.

I can do that with my Denver HT using Frestag and my aluminum table and Pods. However, it ties the CNC saw up and is one more thing to program. Since I got my Marmo 711 V/O edge polished it is 1000 times more efficient.

As Alex said - can they - yes! The machines that they make today allow you to re-carve the statue of Davide. However, you will make a lot more money spiting out kitchens then having your 5-axis tied up meticulously milling a relief carving for 24hrs
OR polishing eased edges.

Buy a edge polisher like a Marmo or Sasso and let it hum like Monica

[GlobalEquipment]

I believe this may be the video he is referring to. This is the Denver Unika 5 Fab Center - Fully Interpolated 5-Axis machine. This is the "Solid" model which is a dual table but there is also a HT single table model with the same abilities with the exception you have to lay rubber matting when cutting, then remove the pieces and then place pods on the table to perform the CNC functions (similar to what you see with standard fab centers from Park and Northwood).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wednUwktKww

[Dan R.]

Nice video.
I do not believe that you need a 5 axis to polish like that Unika.
I think a fourth axis aggregate would do the same as that video.

The 5th axis will give you that rocking motion while running along an edge, like a true hand polisher would do.

[GlobalEquipment]

That is correct you do not need the 5th axis to polish but it does allow you to do so if desired with that special wheel. It actually does provide a pretty nice polish. Typically most will still just use the standard steps and wheels on the 28 position tool holder. The nice thing with the 5th axis though is it does allow you the ability to do 3 Dimensional work, etc. if you desire as well.