What is 5-axis machining?

The 5-axis CNC machine can use five different axes at the same time. Three linear axes and two rotary axes. Their capabilities are more diverse than previous 3-axis CNC machines. The 5-axis machining machine can be configured in such a way that multiple setups can be eliminated, reducing the need for constant monitoring, increasing efficiency and enabling the "all-in-one" function that can complete all machining operations with a single setup.

What can a 5-axis machining center do?

The 5-axis machine is the efficiency artifact of any machining shop. In the hands of a skilled operator, it can create complete parts without any additional settings – essentially all at once – greatly reducing downtime as well as multiple repinning steps and redirection. The following sections explain the main industries that use CNC to machine parts and how they can benefit from 5-axis freedom of movement.

Five-axis precision parts processing industry application

1. Aerospace industry

One of the main reasons why 5-axis machining machines are ideal for the aerospace industry is the limited number of re-fixations required. Due to the complexity of typical aerospace components, 3- or 4-axis CNC machines will require multiple re-fixing steps and reorientation to allow the cutting head to machine hard-to-reach areas.

Aerospace components also have an organic shape with composite curves, making them ideal for 5-axis machine tools. An example of a composite curve can be found in turbine blades, which are typically cast and machined by a 5-axis machining center to achieve the final desired shape and surface finish.

Second, the automotive industry

The automotive industry is characterized by high production volumes and high demands on consistency. From the first to a thousand, each component needs to adapt to specific tolerances each time. Most components in the transportation industry are manufactured using low-cost, high-volume processes such as stamping, injection molding, and casting. However, these cheap and fast technologies require advanced and high-precision tools, and 5-axis machining is the most ideal production method.

3. Medical industry

Like the aerospace industry, the medical industry has extremely stringent requirements for quality. If there are ingredients or objects that endanger the user, certain medical components may have a direct and immediate impact on a person's health or survival.

Some medical components have organic shapes processed from exotic materials to be able to implant them into the patient. The 5-axis CNC controller can both process these types of materials and the organic shape of such implants. In addition to implants, other medical-related applications, such as medical impellers and CT scanner assemblies, require 5-axis machining.

Fourth, the energy industry

In the energy industry is the backbone of all other industries. It is extremely broad in scope and encompasses many different technologies. From coal-fired power stations to concentrated solar power systems and even more exotic technologies like nuclear fusion, the demand for advanced components that push the limits of engineering, materials science, and manufacturing is never-ending.

Due to the specific process requirements of these industries, machining systems that can reliably produce advanced components are required, and this is where 5-axis machines come into play. Complex types of components that arise in industry, such as plasma chambers in stellar fusion devices. The shapes in this machine are so organic and complex that parts manufactured by any other method than using a 5-axis machine cannot meet the requirements of the design as well as the use of it.

5. Industrial sector

The industrial sector includes many other industries not mentioned earlier, such as consumer goods manufacturing, mining, construction, etc. Due to the wide range of industrial sectors and the many complex components to be manufactured, it is also an excellent scenario for 5-axis machine tool applications. CNC machines occupy most of the work in the industry, where 5-axis CNC machines play an important role in tool making, mold making, and professional applications.

With the advancement of machine learning and artificial intelligence technology, the existing system will undergo more optimization and technical upgrades. Although advances in additive technology have made manufacturing more complex, the production process is still relatively slow. For now, at least, there is no solution that compares to the speed and flexibility of 5-axis machining.