3D CNC milling of a 6 blades propeller

[laurent_parti]

Hello everybody,

As I learn more and more with my CNC I took a new challenge. I will make a 6 blades propeller in 3D:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygotlujkXUg&feature=c4-overview&list=UU_Mjlpaikgv_ysvx0z6G6WQ[/ame]

Laurent

 

[Dave Sohlstrom]

Laurent

A couple of questions and observations.

What CAD program are you using and what CAM program.

I've been working on CNC machining of marine propellers also. I use a radial 3D milling pattern that works its way down from Z0 in smaller steps. I think you will run into trouble if you try machining any metal with the depth you are working at.
The other tricky part that I am finding is holding the prop when you flip it to do the back side
I'm thinking that extending the hub on the first side so you could hold it in a fixture by the hub and machine the back side.

finish looks good keep going.

Dave

 

[laurent_parti]

Hi Dave,

Thank-you very much for your inputs.

My CAD soft is FreeCAD a 3D parametric modeler. ( http://www.freecadweb.org/ )
My CAM Soft is PyCAM which is able to receive 3D object coming from FreeCAD. ( http://pycam.sourceforge.net/ ) I'm under Linux for all my PC .
I totally agree with you regarding the huge plunge I use for the prototype that can not be used with any metal. For metal, I forecast to make a rough cut 1st with a cylindrical end mill with a 0,1 mm material excess on the part surface and then launch the prototype tool path with spherical end mill (maybe I will increase the overlap to reduce distance between lines we saw) .
Regarding, the flip side machining, I had the same thinking for securing the prop with the bub. I have also to machine holes and locating pins to be sure that flipping material will be perfectly aligned with the top machining !

Thanks again Dave.

 

[AussieJimG]

I just love watching those machines work. And it must be even better when you have built the machine and written the program.

Congratulations Laurent, I will be interested to see the metal version of that propeller.

Jim

 

[laurent_parti]

Many Thanks Jim.

I still have some fine tuning to make on tool paths for going on aluminium part. I will anyway make an update an video.

I'm very interested of what king of surface finish I will get on the blades surface

 

[laurent_parti]

Hi all,

A short update about the propeller milling.
I created a video on how to mill both faces with a flipping operation and maintaining good positionning:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5v-rEDpE0g[/ame]

Laurent