Five-axis machining (5 Axis Machining), a mode of CNC machine tool processing. The machine tools used in five-axis machining are often called five-axis machine tools or five-axis machining centers. Five-axis machine tools can process different sides of the workpiece without changing the position of the workpiece on the machine tool, which can greatly improve the processing efficiency of complex parts. Five-axis machining centers are suitable for machining complex-shaped parts, especially those with curved surfaces, tilts or unconventional geometries.
01 Advantages of five-axis machining
Compared with three-axis CNC machining, from the perspective of technology and programming, five-axis CNC machining of complex curved surfaces has the following advantages: 1. Improve the processing quality and efficiency
2. Expand the process scope
3. Meet the new requirements of compound development direction
Improve the processing accuracy of complex parts
When machining deep cavities, the three-axis machining center must lengthen the tool holder and tool, but the use of a five-axis linkage machining center can shorten the tool length appropriately. Through the additional rotation and swing of the workpiece or spindle head, it can prevent the tool from interfering with the tool holder and cavity wall. Collision phenomenon can reduce the jitter and damage of the tool during processing, extend the service life of the tool, and greatly improve the surface quality and processing efficiency of the mold. When processing the side wall, the tool length of the three-axis machining center is greater than the side wall depth. If the tool length is higher than 3 times the diameter, it is difficult to ensure the quality of the tool. The five-axis machining center can use the swing of the spindle or the workpiece to keep the side walls of the tool and mold in a vertical state, improving the quality of the workpiece and extending the service life of the tool. The three-axis machining center requires a ball cutter to finish milling the tool path, but the center rotation speed of the ball cutter is almost zero. During mold processing, the damage to the cutter is greater, the service life will be sharply reduced, and the surface quality will also be deteriorated. The application of the five-axis machining center can form a certain angle of processing and increase the relative line speed, which not only increases the service life of the knife, but also greatly improves the surface quality of the workpiece.
02 Applicable type
Five-axis machining centers are suitable for machining complex-shaped parts, especially those with curved surfaces, tilts or unconventional geometries. Here are some common complex part types suitable for five-axis machining:
Automotive engine blocks and heads
The five-axis machining center can achieve high-precision processing of complex curved surfaces and is suitable for processing parts such as automobile engine blocks and cylinder heads.
Aerospace parts
The aerospace industry often needs to process complex parts, such as turbine blades, inlet guide vanes, etc. Five-axis machining centers can meet its high-precision processing needs.
Ship parts
Ships have complex structures and need to process parts of various shapes. Five-axis machining centers can effectively complete these processing tasks.
High-end mold
The five-axis machining center can achieve high-precision processing of molds, including injection molds, die-casting molds, etc.
Medical device parts
Medical devices often need to process fine curved surfaces and small parts, and five-axis machining centers can meet their high-precision and high-efficiency processing needs.
Complex artwork
The five-axis machining center can process complex arts and crafts, such as sculptures, decorations, etc.
03 Summary
The advantage of five-axis simultaneous machining is that it can continuously maintain an appropriate angle between the tool feed direction and the workpiece surface to obtain better surface quality, better access to chamfering, and improved tool life. More economical tool utilization, reduced cycle times, and one-time clamping all save time and reduce the error rate of machine tool processing.
