When we talk about CNC Machining, most of the time it is indicated to CNC Turning and CNC Milling. However, there are a few different types of CNC Milling Machines, 3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis machines. In the following article, we will discover more about CNC machines and help you decide the most suitable method among 3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis machining.
3-Axis CNC Machining
3-axis milling machine has 3 linear degrees of freedom, including the X, Y, and Z axes. The X-axis leads to vertical direction, the Y-axis is the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis is moving up and down. The principle of 3-axis CNC milling is to cut the material from the blank which is mounted on the machine bed, and the rotational cutting tools move along X, Y, Z coordinates to cut the part as designed. As 3-axis CNC milling machines can only cut parts along three axes, it is usually used for cutting parts with cubic geometries.
4-Axis CNC Machining
In 4-axis CNC machining, in addition to X, Y, and Z axes, an A axis that rotates around the X axis is added, so we also call it 3 plus 1, or 3 plus A. Similar to 3-axis machining, plus the A-axis is achieved through workpiece rotation. A 4-axis machine is usually a vertical machining type with a spindle that rotates around the Z-axis. The workpiece is mounted on the X-axis and rotated around the A-axis. With a single fixture setup, 4 sides of the part can be machined.
5-Axis CNC Machining
There are two main types of 5-axis CNC machines: 3+2-axis and fully continuous 5-axis machines. In 3 plus 2-axis machining, X, Y, Z axes and B, C rotation axes work independently, that is to say, the workpiece can rotate at any compound angle relative to the tool, which is very suitable for machining parts with highly complex structures.
In full five-axis machining, it can simultaneously complete X, Y, Z axis movement and B, C axis rotation. Therefore, the full five-axis machine tool can not only cut plane compound angles, but also shape complex 3D surfaces.
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Post time: Jul-14-2023
