Can CNC milling machines be performed in multi-axis?

As one of the important equipment in modern manufacturing, CNC milling machines are widely used in high-precision parts processing in automotive, aviation, electronics, molds and other industries. With the continuous development of technology, traditional CNC milling machines continue to advance forward in terms of accuracy, efficiency and processing complexity, especially in the application of multi-axis processing, which has become an important way to improve processing capabilities and processing accuracy. So, can CNC milling machines be performed in multi-axis? This article will conduct in-depth discussions around this topic, and analyze the multi-axis processing capabilities of CNC milling machines, and its application and challenges in modern manufacturing.

1. Basic Overview of CNC milling machine

CNC milling machines are processed equipment that controls the cutting tools and workpieces through the CNC system. It can realize the automatic processing of workpieces according to the preset processing procedures, and is widely used to carry out processes such as milling, drilling, cutting, and cutting. The main features of CNC milling machines are high-precision, high efficiency and automation, which can complete complex shape processing tasks in a short period of time, and are widely used in various industries.

Traditional CNC milling machines are usually three-axis machine tools. Movement of three directions of X, Y and Z to complete the processing of workpieces. With the development of technology, CNC milling machines have gradually expanded to multi-axis machine tools such as four-axis and five-axis. These machine tools can be coordinated in multiple directions to achieve more complex processing tasks.

2. Concept of multi-axis processing

Multi-axis machining refers to processing through the axial direction of multiple axis through the CNC system control machine tools. Compared with the traditional three-axis processing, multi-axis processing can be cut and processed in multiple directions, usually including four-axis, five-axis and more axial processing.

Four-axis processing: The four-axis CNC milling machine is added with a rotary axis on the basis of the traditional three-axis. It is usually A or B axis. It allows workpieces to rotate while X, Y, and Z axis. Four-axis processing is suitable for some complicated parts, such as spiral-shaped parts or parts that require different angles.

Five-axis processing: Compared with the four-axis machine tool, the five-axis CNC milling machine adds two rotating shafts (A axis and B axis), so that the machine tool can be moved upwards at the same time, which greatly expands the freedom of processing. Five-axis processing can achieve complex curved surface, tilt surface and three-dimensional shape processing, and is widely used in aerospace, automobiles, medical equipment and other industries.

Advantages of multi-axis processing: Through multi-axis processing, CNC milling machines can complete more processing processes in single clamps, greatly improving the processing accuracy and efficiency. In addition, multi-axis processing can also reduce the rotation and reassembly of workpieces in the processing process, and improve the automation level of the production process.

3. Multi-axis processing capacity of CNC milling machine

Traditional three-axis CNC milling machines can only be cut in the three directions of X, Y and Z, which limits its processing capabilities. Especially in the processing of complex parts, it is often necessary to reinstall the workpiece to complete the processing of all surfaces. Wasting time is also easy to affect processing accuracy. The emergence of multi-axis CNC milling machines effectively solve this problem, so that the machine tool can exercise at the same time in multiple axis, thereby achieving more accurate and complex processing.

Four-axis CNC milling machine: The four-axis CNC milling machine adds a rotation axis, usually the A or B axis, so that the machine tool can perform a rotation movement on the basis of the X, Y, and Z axis. Through this rotation axis, machine tools can process workpieces on different angles, especially suitable for parts that require multiple different surface processing. On the four-axis CNC milling machine, the workpiece can be rotated in one direction, so that the processing range is extended to more surfaces, reducing the number of fixtures and improving production efficiency.

Typical applications of four-axis CNC milling machines include: milling slopes, processing slots, holes, and parts of some complex shapes, especially in large quantities, the advantages of four-axis CNC milling machine are particularly prominent. Common four-axis processing tasks include car parts and mold processing.

Five-axis CNC milling machine: Five-axis CNC milling machine adds two rotating shafts on the basis of the four-axis machine tool, so that the machine tool can exercise in five directions. This machine tool can not only achieve complex curved surface processing, but also processes the three-dimensional geometric shape that is difficult to achieve. Five-axis CNC milling machines can greatly reduce the number of fixtures and improve processing accuracy, especially in the fields of complex molds, aerospace components, medical device parts and other fields.

The five-axis CNC milling machine can control the two rotating shafts (usually A and B axis) and three linear axis (X, Y, and Z axis) of the workpiece at the same time, so that the tools always maintain the best cutting angle and tool path. In this way, the five-axis CNC milling machine can complete more complicated machining tasks in a shorter time, reduce repeated clamps and adjustments, thereby improving production efficiency and processing accuracy.

Typical applications of five-axis CNC milling machine include: aircraft engine parts, turbine blades, and complex curved molds.

4. Application field of multi-axis CNC milling machine

With the continuous increase in the demand for high-precision and efficiency in manufacturing, multi-axis CNC milling machines have become indispensable tools in many industries. The following are several typical applications of multi-axis CNC milling machines:

The aerospace industry: multi-axis CNC milling machines are widely used in the processing of aerospace parts, especially aircraft engines such as blades and wings. The five-axis CNC milling machine can be accurately processed in complex geometric shapes to meet the requirements of high-precision and high complexity in the aerospace industry.

Automotive industry: In the production of automotive parts, multi-axis CNC milling machines are used to process complex molds, engine parts, body components, etc. Especially when the oblique, curved, or multi-faceted parts need to be processed, the advantages of four-axis and five-axis CNC milling machines are particularly prominent.

The medical device industry: Multi-axis CNC milling machines can process high-precision medical device parts, such as artificial joints and implants to meet the industry’s needs for precision and complexity.

Mold manufacturing: Mold manufacturing is a traditional application area for CNC milling machines. Through the multi-axis CNC milling machine, multiple processing planes can be completed in a single clip to improve processing efficiency. Especially when making complex shape molds, multi-axis CNC milling machines provide great flexibility.

In summary, CNC milling machines can increase the processing capacity of four-axis and five-axis, which can greatly improve the processing capabilities and meet the demand for high-precision and complex parts in modern manufacturing. Whether it is a four-axis CNC milling machine or a five-axis CNC milling machine, its applications are already very wide, especially in high-end manufacturing fields such as aerospace, automobiles, and medical devices, play a vital role. With the continuous advancement of technology, multi-axis CNC milling machines will play an important role in a broader field in the future, and promote the development of manufacturing in a more intelligent and precise direction.

As the leading CNC milling machine OEM, we are committed to providing high-precision, high-efficiency CNC milling machine solutions for global manufacturing. With advanced technology and innovative design, our four-axis and five-axis CNC milling machines can meet the needs of various industries for complex parts processing, and are widely used in the fields of aerospace, automobiles, medical devices. By introducing multi-axis machining technology, our equipment can not only achieve higher processing accuracy, but also greatly improve production efficiency, reduce the number and errors in processing, and ensure the stability of product quality. We provide customers with customized CNC milling machine solutions, and provide comprehensive technical support to help companies improve their production capacity and promote the future of intelligent manufacturing.