This is super cool!

[Rocket36]

As impressive as that is, casting is still the best way to make an engine block. If machining was better, companies like Ferrari would do it. As some of the comments indicate, this is usually done as a demo of what the machine can do. Parts are machined that way, but not whole engine blocks (usually).

Check this out... Just the effort they put into the moulds is AMAZING!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdcoVurVY30 (and equally impressive as a good cnc machine)

[Tim]

that is crazy stuff. I can only imagine how long it would take to program the machine to do something as intricate as that.

[Preen59]

As impressive as that is, casting is still the best way to make an engine block. If machining was better, companies like Ferrari would do it. As some of the comments indicate, this is usually done as a demo of what the machine can do. Parts are machined that way, but not whole engine blocks (usually).

Check this out... Just the effort they put into the moulds is AMAZING!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdcoVurVY30 (and equally impressive as a good cnc machine)

No, they cast stuff because it has to have a water jacket. ALL (main game/big show) Nitro engines run billet blocks, heads and cranks. It's more consistent and easier to repair.

The only advantage of casting is grain flow. That has pretty much been made worthless by the quality and purity of billet materials these days. Most racing cranks these days are billet machined on a mill with a rotary axis and then ground etc.

[Greg Roles]

I've jizzed my pants...

[Preen59]

that is crazy stuff. I can only imagine how long it would take to program the machine to do something as intricate as that.

It's all done with conversational CAD programming. You don't have to physically sit down and go

M03S3500
G00Z200.
X225.Y150.
G01Z175.5F200
G02X101.36Y53.2I-1.73J-22.87

Etc etc.

I've jizzed my pants...

Yeah.. But what about the video!

[Jarred]

super cool it is indeed! in fact it's pretty incredible!

[roccodingo]

It's all done with conversational CAD programming. You don't have to physically sit down and go

M03S3500
G00Z200.
X225.Y150.
G01Z175.5F200
G02X101.36Y53.2I-1.73J-22.87

+ the other 240,000 lines of command...

All fine if your running a newer machine tool and software

[Preen59]

+ the other 240,000 lines of command...

All fine if your running a newer machine tool and software

Exactly my point.

There's no way in hell i could do a mould contour program etc like what i do at work. Waaaay too much maths and way too many command lines. Some of the simpler stuff i write in code is bad enough. Especially when you start doing mid program tool changes etc. First dry run is always hairy. haha.

[Mrk_Mickey]

I remember this video, I saw it a while back...I drooled the whole time; it was amazing!

...and it still is!

[GoLfMan]

Exactly my point.

There's no way in hell i could do a mould contour program etc like what i do at work. Waaaay too much maths and way too many command lines. Some of the simpler stuff i write in code is bad enough. Especially when you start doing mid program tool changes etc. First dry run is always hairy. haha.

first run always is hairy, especially with a one off part!

Love the 5 axis machining! Something I havent done yet, still getting my head around 3 axis

what CAD/CAM software do you run at work???

I know we'd be pretty lost without Powermill. Such a capable software, rarely gets it wrong!