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.

  • empireOfLove2@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    5 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.