CNC machining is the manufacture and machining of parts and products under computer control. Numerical control machining involves the use of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools to make adjustments to a piece of material (i.e., a workpiece) by automatically removing excess material. Typically, the material we all work with is metal, and when the removal is complete, the finished product or part is produced. Such a process is also known as subtractive manufacturing. In order to better carry out CNC machining, computer applications are used to control the movement of machine tools. Common types of CNC machine tools include the most common milling and turning, followed by grinding, EDM, etc.
During milling work a rotating tool is applied to the workpiece surface, moving along 3, 4 or 5 axes. Basically cutting or trimming a workpiece, complex geometries and precision parts can be quickly machined from metal.
In turning work, a lathe is used to manufacture parts that contain cylindrical features. The workpiece rotates on an axis and contacts precision turning tools to form rounded edges, radial and axial holes, slots and grooves.
Compared with traditional manual machining, CNC machining is much faster. The computer code is correct and conforms to the design. The finished product has high dimensional accuracy and small error. CNC manufacturing, which can be used to manufacture end-use products and components, is usually only cost-effective in low-volume, short production runs, making it ideal for rapid prototyping.
Multi-Axis CNC Machining
CNC milling involves removing material using rotating tools. Either the workpiece remains stationary and the tool moves onto the workpiece, or the workpiece enters the machine at a predetermined angle. The more axes of motion a machine has, the more complex and faster its forming process will be.
Three-axis CNC machining
Three-axis CNC milling remains one of the most popular and widely used machining processes. In 3-axis machining, the workpiece remains stationary and a rotating tool cuts along the x, y, z axes. This is a relatively simple form of CNC machining that can produce products with simple structures. It is not suitable for machining complex geometries or products with complex components.
Since cutting can only be done in three axes, machining speeds can also be slower than four- or five-axis CNC, as the workpiece may need to be manually repositioned to obtain the desired shape.
Four-axis CNC machining
In 4-axis CNC milling, a fourth axis is added to the motion of the cutting tool, allowing rotation about the x-axis. Now there are four axes – x-axis, y-axis, z-axis and a-axis (rotation around x-axis). Most 4-axis CNC machines also allow the workpiece to rotate, which is known as the b-axis, allowing the machine to function as both a mill and a lathe.
If you need to drill holes in the side of a part or on the curved surface of a cylinder, 4-axis CNC machining is the answer. It greatly speeds up the machining process and has high machining accuracy.
Five-axis CNC machining
Five-axis CNC milling has an extra axis of rotation compared to four-axis CNC milling. The fifth axis is rotation around the y-axis, also known as the b-axis. The workpiece can also be rotated on some machines, sometimes called a b-axis or c-axis.
Due to the high versatility of 5-axis CNC machining, it is used to manufacture complex precision parts. Such as medical components of artificial prosthetics or bones, aerospace components, titanium components, oil and gas mechanical components, military products, etc.
Vmt is mainly engaged in the production and manufacture of five-axis precision parts. It has been deeply involved in the industry for many years and has rich experience. If you have CNC machining, CNC lathe machining, five-axis machining of aluminum, copper, stainless steel, iron, titanium alloy, plastic and other products.
