What is 5 Axis CNC Milling?

It was discussed in our previous blog post that CNC or Computer Numerical Control Milling is an innovation that helps certain industries to make their production faster. This time, we’ll discuss about 5 Axis CNC Milling, a type of CNC milling that doubles up the speed and accuracy of the production.

5 Axis CNC Milling is a process where the CNC tool moves in 4 or more ways. This is used most especially for gears that need curved holes like impellers, turbines and aerospace airframes. Since the structure of these gears needs intricate details, 5 Axis CNC Milling is the best to use. What’s unknown to common people is that the advanced tool is not only capable of making detailed metal works; it is also capable of maintaining consistent acceleration and deceleration, which are very vital characteristics for the said types of gear. It is also good to take note that the majority of the by products of 5 Axis CNC milling are parts that require tight holding tolerance.

The typical axis milling is the 3 Axis Milling. However, investing for a 5 Axis Machining tool makes sense for it allows CNC machine shops to accept more complex part orders. This is because your spindle usage is also increased.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF 5 AXIS CNC MILLING?

Since 5 Axis CNC milling uses more axes to produce better output, it is expected that using the tool can:
1. Enable you to produce complex gears. In a single setup which saves time, cost and operator error, a 5 Axis CNC milling tool can help you produce complex gears in no time.
2. Enable you to save time in production. Drilling a number of holes in a gear can take time if the machine that you are using is not equipped to do the job. In a 5 Axis CNC milling machine, you can drill a series of holes even with different compound angles in no time.
3. Make better surface finish. If properly aligned perpendicularly to the surface, the tool can enable you to cut your gears in a quick manner with a high precision.
4. Set you above the competition. We have mentioned that most CNC machining companies only use 3 Axis CNC machines. Only a few companies use 5 Axis CNC machines because they are a bit costly. However, investing for the machine is a good move because there will be few competitors resulting to higher profit margins.

IMPORTANT TO TAKE NOTE:
There are some CNC machines that do not require the operator to be highly skilled because the machine is computer generated. 5 Axis CNC milling uses CAM or Computer Aided Manufacturing, too. However, this equipment requires better skill for the operator because the person who will operate should know the preventive maintenance of the device, as well as the responsive technical service when needs arise.

The Importance of Correct Programming in CNC

Correct programming and formatting of codes are very important when it comes to running CNC machines. CNC machining play a vital role in the industrial field. They produce very intricate and precise parts of things that are highly needed in the industrial sector, such as parts of a watch, parts of a plane and other similar items. These things are special objects that have very minute details that only CNC machines could produce.

How do CNC machines operate?

CNC machines operate through a set of codes or instructions that is also known as program. These codes are specially created to guide a CNC machine into performing a specific action. These set of instructions make it possible for the machine to produce the desired effect without any difficulty. A CNC machine commonly has several axes that allow it to make very accurate cuts and designs.

What is a G-code?

G-code or G programming language is the name of the most common program that is used on CNC machines. This determines how fast a machine should work, on which direction and the like. Technically, this is what the machine follows on how it should operate.

Why is correct programming very important?

CNC machines are not cheap, but they are very good investments once set into production. Inaccurate setting up may result to a product that is not worth anything, therefore incurring loss instead of profit. In addition to this, wrong programming may lead to a crash tool, which can only add up to the loss.  

Why are CNC machines indispensable today?

In these modern times, we require high tech machines that can produce quality products in a short period of time. The industry also relies on the productivity of these machines. They can operate for long hours without any supervision, making them ideal for large scale orders or mass production. These CNC machines only need to be programmed accordingly and they can be relied to produce the desired parts, without worrying about uniformity. Until the invention of CNC machines, the industry had to depend on the skills of the machinist to produce very intricate designs. These machines have truly changed the way production in the industrial field works.

Proper setting up and programming of the code is crucial to ensure that the CNC machines are going to perform as expected and that the quality of the parts they produce are exactly as planned.