Necro-Axe is a supreme custom marker body that was made to demonstrate the most complex level of milling that can be added onto one of my Axe blank bodies. The milling concept was derived from a modification of my Spinal Shocker series body. These underlying design behind these shapes was made using actual spinal bones that were scanned for the purpose of bone implantation several years ago.
Design and Fabrication:
As with my Spinal Shocker, the underlying Axe body shape being used here is a basic "tube model" used to create teh minimum amount of material for a functional Axe. The bone structure was then added on top of the Tube body, and positioned to protrude outward. An actual spine doesn't look like this, but a bit of artistic modification was needed to make the marker body more interesting.
Moving onto the machining program, I was able to save a noticeable amount of time creating this design compared to the previous Spinal Shocker. Firstly, the level of detail was reduced by around 25%, but it's barely noticeable unless you held the Necro-Axe up next to my original prototype Spinal body and compared them. I was also able to save some machining time by limiting the regions where machining would take place, since a lot of time was theoretically wasted in areas that would be machined from the other side.
The design complexity requires an unorthodox testing procedure. Typically a machining program can be simulated to check for tool collisions, gouges, improper cutting methods, etc. However, CAD models of this complexity are VERY time-consuming to simulate. Instead only certain portions can be simulated, then the design is pushed into prototyping by carefully cutting an example model and making any required alterations to the manufacturing process.
I set out to prototype the design once the machining program was scrutenized to the point where I felt comfortable. Everything went fairly well since I had learned much from making a few Spinal Shockers over the years...
Serial Number NAX-017:
This is my personal marker; it was anodized into a red/black acid wash pattern to follow the bone shapes. The anodizing was performed by Caustic Customs.
Nummech Necro-Axe body (NAX-017); Axe VL frame; classic foregrip extender; classic fatgrip; Unilock feedneck
SmartballerPB 3d printed detents; 3d printed trigger
Smart Parts Freak barrel with 16 inch front
Ultralight milled Relay ASA housing and endcap; ultralight milled "two wing" Axe bolt guide
Empire Axe transfer plate, Relay ASA regulator, Shockwave mainboard, stock sensor board, stock bolt.
Future availability:
These bodies might be available in extreme limited numbers. However, I must warn you that Necro-Axe bodies are EXTREMELY expensive to fabricate. Only a serious Axe enthusiast or marker builder would be willing to purchase one.
At the time of this writing, the number of Necro-Axes on the market is: 3 (last updated September 5, 2015)