Why do You Think of 5-axis Machining when Machining Complex Parts?

According to ISO, when describing the motion of CNC machine tools, the right-hand rectangular coordinate system is used. The coordinate axis parallel to the main axis is defined as the z-axis, and the rotation coordinates around the x, y, and z axes are A, B, and C respectively. The movement of each coordinate axis can be realized by either the workbench or the tool. But the direction is defined by the direction of the tool relative to the workpiece. Generally, 5-axis linkage refers to the linear interpolation movement of five coordinates in x, y, z, A, B, and C. In other words, five axes refer to the three moving axes x, y, and z plus any two rotating axes. Compared with the common three-axis machining (x, y, z three degrees of freedom), 5-axis machining means that when machining parts with complex geometric shapes, the machining tools need to be able to locate and connect on the five degrees of freedom.

 

 

The machine tool used for 5-axis machining is usually called a five-axis machine tool or five-axis machining center. Five-axis machining is commonly used in the aerospace field to process body parts, turbine parts, and impellers with free surfaces. The five-axis machine tool 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 prismatic parts.

 

Development of 5-axis machining

For decades, it is generally believed that five-axis machining technology is the way to process continuous, smooth, and complex surfaces. Once people encounter unsolvable problems in designing and manufacturing complex surfaces, they will turn to five-axis machining technology.

 

Five-axis linkage CNC is the most difficult and widely used CNC technology. It integrates computer control, a high-performance servo drive, and precision machining technology. And is applied to efficient, precise, and automatic machining of complex surfaces. In the world, the five-axis linkage numerical control technology is regarded as the symbol of a country's production equipment automation technology level. Due to its special status, especially its important influence on aviation, aerospace, and military industries, as well as the complexity of technology, the western industrial developed countries have always implemented the export license system as a strategic material.

 

Compared with three-axis machining, from the perspective of process and programming, 5-axis machining for complex surfaces has the following advantages:

 

1) Improve processing quality and efficiency

2) Expand process scope

3) Meet the new direction of compound development

 

However, due to interference and tool position control in the machining space, the NC programming, NC system, and machine tool structure of five-axis NC machining are much more complex than those of three-axis machine tools. So, five axes are easy to say, but it's hard to be true! In addition, it is more difficult to operate well!

 

For more information about 5-axis machining, please contact us.