borne2fly
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2008
- Location
- California
I'm still not clear what the difference is between 2.5D and 3D. If I wanted to engrave a circle into an inclined plane, is that a 2.5D or a 3D function?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Here's the definition of a 2.5D part I like best-
If you place the part on a flat table and look down at it from the top, every machined surface on the part is either parallel to the table surface or at 90 degrees to it.
You can have pretty complicated parts that fit this description and thus can be made with 2.5D design tools, they can have pockets, shelves, cutouts, shoulders, ledges, etc., all with arbitrary outlines and still be 2.5D parts.
One thing to keep in mind is that a 2.5D CAM tool will typically generate tool paths that don't limit themselves to 2.5D motion, ie they will use ramped plunging and helical paths when it makes sense, but the final completed part will fit the 2.5D description.
Paul T.
Power Technology
You can doo a lot more than that with a 2.5 mill. You CAN cut in X/Z and Y/Z to create inclines or even rads.
It does NOT have to only be a 2 axis position and then drilling setup.
A 2.5 axis can NOT move all three at the same time. It CAN move ANY 2 at the same time. (May require a G code for "plane designation" to achieve.)
Ox
Then that means a 2.5 D machine can't thread mill, correct???
What about helical interpolation on cleaning out a hole?
I was told that 2.5D could run any two axes in a non-linear manner (say cutting a circle) while the 3rd axis was moving simultaneously but restricted to a linear motion.
Can a 2.5D machine be upgraded to 3D by swapping out some of the electronics, or do the all electronics have to be totally replaced?
Does that mean a simple board swap makes the difference between a 2.5D and a 3D machine? Or do you mean the difference is simply in the software? Or something more?
How does helically interped "cleaning" differ from thread milling? You explain that - and then maybe I can answer that question.
Notice
This website or its third-party tools process personal data (e.g. browsing data or IP addresses) and use cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by sending us an email via our Contact Us page. To find out more about the categories of personal information collected and the purposes for which such information will be used, please refer to our privacy policy. You accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or dismissing this notice, by scrolling this page, by clicking a link or button or by continuing to browse otherwise.