With 3D printers like the Open-5x or tool changers (e.g. Prusa XL) both, 5-axis simultaneous 3D-printing as well as hybrid manufacturing (additive followed up by subtractive), is more accessible than they ever were.

For those already venturing into this endeavor: What is your toolchain/software?

Currently, I finish the additive/3D print before running a second gcode for the subtractive part (contact surfaces, threads, …). This is far from an efficient and powerful process.

  • cestvrai@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    8 months ago

    Did a bit of 8-axis multitool with my previous job (mostly work on a proprietary slicer), and one main takeaway was to not be afraid of editing gcode.

    I would probably start with a script to merge the files and then build a basic plugin for my slicer to do the job.

    I’m sure more user friendly options are around the corner!

  • empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    I believe Autodesk Fusion has the ability to export multiple setups, with different processes, to a single NC gcode file. It supports both additive and subtractive machine paths.

    I’ve used it extensively for generating 5-axis machining toolpaths at work, and it’s actually quite decent to use. It’s modelling and file management is maybe a little scuffed, but definitely usable.
    I export multiple setups with multiple work offsets to a single G-code all the time. I don’t know how it might handle different machines, and different additive/subtractive processes in the same file though. That’s at the mercy of how well written the post processor is.

    It’s free for personal use but with limited functionality, however if you do end up needing the full version it’s one of the cheaper CAD subscriptions out there at $85/mo.

  • NilzEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    This doesn’t solve your issue but can’t you at least merge the gcode files so you only have to start the entire process once?

    • EmilieEvans@lemmy.mlOPEnglish
      2·
      8 months ago

      What I would like to see is a far more advanced solution where you could for example machine features which will be inaccessible once the print is finish.

      Right now the tools for none industrial machines are basic as it feels like you are feeding a slicer output to a CAM package but the slicer isn’t designed with this in mind (e.g. printing certain features that will be machined lightly larger and everything else at normal size).