What is five axis machining technology? How does it affect product accuracy?

Five axis machining technology is a key equipment for high-end CNC tools and molds in the industrial field where precision machining has become a major demand. The quality level of mold products is largely influenced by CNC equipment. In the fiercely competitive market environment, the manufacturing industry is facing the challenge of seeking shorter production cycles, higher processing quality, faster product modification and processing capabilities, and lower manufacturing costs. Therefore, five axis machining technology is also highly valued. This article will delve into the principles and scope of application of 5-axis machining technology, helping you better understand how to introduce 5-axis machining technology and bring transformation opportunities to enterprises.

What is 5-axis machining? Understand the operating principle and advantages in one go!
Five axis machining is an advanced CNC machining technology that can simultaneously control the movement of workpieces on the X, Y, and Z linear axes, as well as the rotation axes A and B. This technology has high flexibility and precision, allowing us to produce parts with high complexity and strict precision requirements.

Operating principle
When metal cutting, the huge cutting and friction forces will cause the workpiece to move, so a “shaft” is needed to fix the workpiece. The common three-axis machine tool only has three degrees of freedom for linear movement and can handle structures along the tool axis direction, but cannot handle side structural features. Five axis machining is the use of at least five coordinate axes (X, Y, Z, A, B, three linear coordinates, and two rotational coordinates) under the coordinated control of a computer numerical control system, allowing each axis to have an independent controller and motor drive system for synchronous motion machining.

Is 5-axis machining divided into true 5-axis and false 5-axis?
Sometimes, what you think of as five axes is not really five axes! The true five axis machining technology must have RTCP (Rotational Tool Center Point) function; That is to say, when the machine tool moves synchronously in five axes, it can maintain the cutting point (tool center point) of the tool unchanged, even if the tool itself is rotating or tilting. How should we distinguish it? The simplest way is to check if the axis is moving simultaneously! The true five axis refers to five axis five linkage, while the false five axis may be five axis three linkage, and the other two axes only serve as positioning functions.

Advantages of 5-axis machining
The ability to process complex geometric shapes: Five axis machining technology can complete multi-faceted machining in a single setting, avoiding errors caused by multiple fixture changes.

Improving production efficiency: Five axis machining can reduce downtime and fixture replacement time during the machining process, thereby improving production efficiency.

Shorten production cycle: Five axis machining can shorten the entire production cycle by reducing the setup time during the machining process.

Improving machining accuracy: Five axis machining technology can also improve machining accuracy by reducing errors during machining.

Extending tool life: In the five axis machining process, the contact area between the tool and the workpiece is relatively small, which helps to reduce tool wear rate and extend tool life.

Is 5-axis machining good? Compare three axes and four axes at once!

Five axes
Five axis machining includes three linear feed axes X, Y, Z and two rotation axes A, B, which can perform complex synchronous movements. This technology can achieve precision machining of complex shapes and improve production efficiency.

Four axes
Four axis machining includes three linear feed axes X, Y, Z and one rotation axis, which can perform continuous or segmented rotation. This technology has significant advantages in processing symmetrical or elongated workpieces, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Three axes
Three axis machining mainly involves the motion of three linear feed axes, X, Y, and Z. This technology is particularly effective for surface machining of workpieces with planar or three-dimensional geometric shapes, achieving simple, fast, and high-precision machining.

Five axis machining precautions! Master 4 things to improve product accuracy!

R&D personnel need to communicate more with data personnel
Five axis machining is controlled by computer numerical control, so data is the key factor affecting machining and determining the accuracy of the product. So, the R&D team needs to work closely with data experts, carefully adjust parameters from the beginning, and through cross disciplinary communication and cooperation, we can ensure the accuracy of product production.

Drive system efficiency should be excellent
In five axis machining, excellent drive systems play a key role. It not only provides excellent dynamic characteristics, but also has a large speed range. Through such a driving system, we can effectively reduce workpiece errors, ensure machining quality, and also have more space to pursue precision.

Be sure to adjust the tool before operation
Tool adjustment is also an indispensable part of five axis machining. During the machining process, it is inevitable that there may be tool collisions, but considering the extremely high precision of five axis machining, even a small deviation can have a significant impact. So we insist on conducting strict tool calibration before each use to ensure accuracy and ensure the highest quality of our products.

Choose the right manufacturer to cooperate with
Choosing the right service provider is also one of the factors in improving the effectiveness of five axis machining. Excellent service providers will not only communicate with you and deeply understand your needs, processing goals, and practices, but also track and provide services for subsequent use, continuously adjusting products to enhance consumer experience.

conclusion
After reading the above introduction, I believe you also understand clearly that through the advantages of five axis machining technology such as dataization and high precision, we can significantly improve product performance and quality; It also indirectly brings good brand value to the company. If you have read this article and would like to introduce five axis machining technology to your company, please feel free to contact us!