Is it a waste for customers to choose 5-axis machining parts?

The tiptop for Kanou Precision has been operating for more than two years, and we have vertically displayed the contents of precision parts machining, five-axis CNC machining and daily quality inspection dynamics. Slowly our tiptop account for Kanou precision is known by customers, peers, and friends who are concerned about the machining industry.

 There is one thing that I remember very well, we released a video of processing mechanical parts products, in which the video mentioned a part: high cost, high precision, to be made with a 5-axis turning and milling machine. The comment has been discussed, some people said: just this? I've used 3+2 axes and I can do it! Some are not convinced and say: I can do it with a 3-axis machine, it's cheap and easy to use!

Why do you need to use 5-axis machining when you can make the same product with 3-axis? This is kind of waste.

 Although 3-axis machining has the advantage of high precision and high efficiency, it is more troublesome when machining complex heterogeneous workpieces. Due to the long tool length, multiple process increases and multiple clamping are required. At the same time, repeated tool setting produces cumulative tolerances, and easy overcutting can cause workpiece failure. Therefore, multi-axis machining becomes the first choice when machining more complex workpieces.

Many friends think that a 5-axis machining center is a 3-axis machining center based on the addition of 2 rotary axes. But 3+2 axis technology is not really 5-axis machining in the sense, that its two rotary axes first fix the cutting tool in an inclined position, and then the axes X, Y and Z are used for machining. Since the fourth and fifth axes are used to determine the direction of the tool in the fixed position, they do not run continuously during the machining process. Therefore this is not a true five-axis linkage technology. 3+2 axes can satisfy the machining operations that cannot be done by ordinary machining, but this is not a true five-axis machining either.

 I think it is not wise to "talk about machine tools in isolation from the actual needs". Suppose we just want to machine a large aluminum block into a curved part, a 5-axis machine tool can approach the machined part from any direction because of the existence of two rotary axes. And a single clamping can achieve the machining of all faces except the clamping surface. This is not possible with a normal 3-axis machine!

"Reducing the number of clamping times" is a double benefit for the pursuit of efficient and high precision machining.

On the one hand, reducing the number of clamping can save time, reduce the labor intensity of workers and improve the efficiency of processing; on the other hand, you can minimize the possible errors brought about by clamping, and clamping eros to ensure machining accuracy.

Even if a 3-axis machine can process such parts, there are difficulties to overcome in terms of surface processing, machining efficiency, and machining tolerance.

The same product, 3 axis can be processed, but to use five-axis processing, is not a waste, but a good steel with a good edge of reason!