Machining a 5-Axis Rover Camera Mount headed TO THE MOON!

A viewer called with an unusual - and awesome - request: Could we use our Haas UMC-750 to machine a camera mount for a micro rover that is HEADED TO THE MOON!

We were more than happy to help by making 6 of these camera mounts. Only one of the mounts will be installed in the rover (set to launch on May 4, 2023!) but they needed additional versions for testing!

5-axis works great for a part like this - not only for accessing the complex features at various angles, but also to make it more efficient to product 6 of these parts. We used the 'window machining' technique with hot-glue to hold the part in place to completely machine the part in a single setup!

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Links for this video

Touch Off Tools faster = card

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[PM.al.whatmough]

Congrats John and team. This goes to show how doing the right thing is the right thing to do and ends up working out for you. You've dedicated yourself to contributing value to this industry we all love. You deserve to be a part of a big milestone like going back to the moon.

[bcbloc]

Awesome to be able to say you make parts for all over the the moon!

[adambergendorff]

This has to be one of my favorite videos you have produced, just plain enjoyable and had never scene the hot glue trick

[ttgtomr]

That's so badass. Looking forward to when I can add a 5th axis to my vmc

[davestrong]

Hi John. Been following you from almost your first videos. Your video have really helped me get into matching almost full time. The last year we have supplied lots of parts for production on flight part. Currently look at getting 9100d certification. Thanks for all the video…Dave

[custos]

For moment, I thought this was gonna be a video about accidentally sending a part into just a little over low earth orbit lol

[dominic]

Very cool I got to work on one of the Mars rover lens

[epicuniversal]

This just launched to the Moon, John. :)

[AllieRogers-mqkf]

Hey John, will there be a willemin video in the near future? Such a cool machine.

[wiremonkeyshop]

Hey John, would you talk about the various 5 axis CAM options with Fusion 360? I'm particularly interested in simultaneous 5 axis and Autodesk offers the Machining extension for Fusion 360, but there is also Powermill and I've heard seen you talk about CAMplete Toolpath. Wow, so many different options. For small manufacturer like myself, I know the Extension is on sale right now for about $1200 for a year. But are the other options more powerful and what pricing? Just curious if you've used all of the various CAM options in your Fusion 360 workflow and what you thought of them. Thanks! Always look forward to your content!

[robertschauer]

For a moment I thought you were going to make this on the Willemin 408

[blakes]

Never really thought about using hot Glue, i have made a good deal of tab off methods that leave the part rigid / snap off ready with only a 1 edge deburr needed.
send me PM if you want some ideas.
Primary Focus has been 5 Axis machines with 1 off tooling concepts.

[Link_]

Hey john. Why is it aluminum and not a beryllium alloy like AlBeMet?

[MikeHenry]

Could the upcoming Penta Solo have made this part?

[schnare]

I gotta ask why did you replace the 750 with a 500?

[tedx]

it'll never get past the ice wall!