Question about a "spider" CNC machine

hman

hman

Active User
H-M Lifetime Diamond Member
I recall (from back in the '70s or '80s) seeing articles about a rather unique CNC milling machine. Instead of the traditional XYZ motions, this one had a head supported by six ball screw (or possibly hydraulic) actuators - very like modern flight simulators, etc. By solving some complex geometry (done by a pretty powerful computer), it could do all the X, Y, and Z moves, as well as machine at all kinds of angles from vertical.

I can't recall the name of the manufacturer, and searching the web has been an exercise in frustration - way too many CNC tools and websites out there!:dunno:

Help!!! Does anybody recall the tool I'm trying to describe?

Many thanks!

- hman
(John Herrmann)
 
hman said:
I recall (from back in the '70s or '80s) seeing articles about a rather unique CNC milling machine. Instead of the traditional XYZ motions, this one had a head supported by six ball screw (or possibly hydraulic) actuators - very like modern flight simulators, etc. By solving some complex geometry (done by a pretty powerful computer), it could do all the X, Y, and Z moves, as well as machine at all kinds of angles from vertical.

I can't recall the name of the manufacturer, and searching the web has been an exercise in frustration - way too many CNC tools and websites out there!:dunno:

Help!!! Does anybody recall the tool I'm trying to describe?

Many thanks!

- hman
(John Herrmann)
Click to expand...

It is called a "Hexapod".Google it and you will find many things.

Hope to be of assistanse.
Ariscats
 
That's it! ... though I was definitely off as far as "when" ... the Variax by Giddings and Lewis was prototyped in 1991, went into production in 1995, according to their video:

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TowJZQi-qY>

Thanks, Ariscats!:high5:
 
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