Which Is The Right 5 Axis Machining Center For CNC Machining?

Installing a 5-axis machining center is a sure-shot recipe for manufacturing precision machine parts. With over 60% of the parts produced on 5 sides, a 5-axis machine can save time, floor space, and costly tools and fixtures.

With so many benefits of 5-axis machining, choosing the right one for your machine shop will do wonders and make the machining process seamless. Let us see which one.

What is 5-axis CNC machining, and why choose it?

5-axis machining uses the CNC to move a part or cutting tool along 5 different axes continuously. It enables the machining of complex parts that are 5-axis. It is ideal for aerospace, medical, energy and military applications. The 5-axis machining uses a shorter tool as the tool holder combination gets tipped from features of the workpiece. A small instrument will result in less tool vibration, which results in heavier cutting, longer tool life and better surface finish.

And 5-axis machining enables complex parts to get cut from the solid material that else needs to get cast. It helps for quick turnaround and prototype work on high-value equipment.

Types of 5-axis machining centers

There is a lot of 5-axis machining technology present in the market. You need to choose the ideal one, according to the parts you have and the kind of precise equipment you need to manufacture.

3+2 axis version

Not every part requires 5-axis machining, some parts get machined using a 3+2 axis because the fourth and fifth rotary axes keep the part in a fixed orientation, typical 3 axis machining gets performed instead of moving it during the machining process. This process is also known as positional 5-axis machining.

The primary benefit of adding a 3+2 set up to your existing vertical machine is that it allows you to machine a workpiece from all sides. It eliminates the need for extra setups, resulting in a shorter cycle time and lower costs. Compared to traditional three-axis machining, 3+2 can use a brief, more rigid cutting tool, resulting in improved dimensional stability.

Any three axes can be controlled simultaneously in the 3+2 axis version, while the remaining two axes get used to position the piece.

The following is how it works:

The X, Z, and C axes get used together, while the Y and A axes get used for positioning. Y, Z, and A can be used together, with X and C can be used for positioning.

4+1 axis version : It is the 4+1 structure that is the second type of 5-axis arrangement. It is built as a 4+1 axis machine with an additional axis as the base part, giving the operators an axis to work with to the existing four.

Any four-axis can be controlled simultaneously in the 4+1 axis versions, while the remaining 1 -xis gets used for positioning.

Here is how it works:

X and Z, A and C, get combined, and Y gets used for positioning. You can integrate X, Y, Z, and A, while C gets used for positioning.

5-axis version : Unlike 3+2 operations, where the part is in a fixed orientation, 5-axis machines move the cutting tool on the X, Y, and Z axes and rotate the A, B, and C axes to maintain continuous contact between the instrument and the workpiece. Standard length tools can be used on 5-axis CNC machines, resulting in increased tool rigidity, higher feed rates, and longer tool life, lowering tool turnover and insert replacement costs.

A significant advantage

5-axis machines give your shop a competitive edge by demonstrating to customers that you can do more, more accurately, and faster. There are full 5-axis versions that simultaneously control all three (linear) and two (rotational) axes.

The axes are divided into three linear axes (commonly referred to as X, Y, and Z) and two rotational axes in this version (called A & C). The tilting axis is the A-axis, and the rotating axis is the C-axis. There will usually be a table surface where the workpiece gets mounted in such a setup.

Conclusion

Are you still using outdated or traditional machining? It’s high time to move on to a better technology that is 5-axis machining. You can choose between a 3+2 axis or a 4+1 axis, or a 5-axis CNC version depending on your client requirements. Machinists using the 3+2 axis can move to 4+1 and then to a 5-axis version to improve the production speed and have precise parts.