5 Axis Machining - Something you may looking for (Part1)
author: YITECH
2024-12-06
5 Axis Machining1 - the innovative solution you've been searching for to optimize your machining efficiency and precision.
According to ISO standards, the motion description of CNC machines uses a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system. The z-axis is parallel to the spindle, while A, B, and C represent the rotation coordinates around the x, y, and z axes respectively. These coordinate axes can be moved through the worktable or the tool, but the direction is based on the movement of the tool relative to the workpiece. Five-axis machining refers to linear interpolation motion of any five coordinates of x, y, z, A, B, and C, which means three moving axes (x, y, z) plus any two rotating axes. Compared to three-axis machining (three degrees of freedom of x, y, and z), five-axis machining is suitable for complex geometric parts, allowing the tool to position and move in all five degrees of freedom.
The machine tool used for five-axis machining is called a five-axis machine or a five-axis machining center, commonly used in aerospace to machine free-form surface parts such as body components, turbine parts, and impellers. Five-axis machines can machine different sides of the workpiece without moving the workpiece position, significantly improving the efficiency of machining prismatic parts.
The machine tool used for five-axis machining is called a five-axis machine or a five-axis machining center, commonly used in aerospace to machine free-form surface parts such as body components, turbine parts, and impellers. Five-axis machines can machine different sides of the workpiece without moving the workpiece position, significantly improving the efficiency of machining prismatic parts.
Development of 5-axis
For decades, five-axis CNC machining technology has been widely regarded as the preferred method for machining continuous, smooth, and complex surfaces.
It is the most difficult and widely applicable technology in the field of numerical control technology, integrating computer control, high-performance servo drive, and precision machining technology. It is especially suitable for efficient, precise, and automated machining of complex surfaces. Internationally, five-axis CNC technology is recognized as a symbol of the national level of automation technology for production equipment. Due to its important impact on the aerospace, aviation, and military industries, western industrialized countries have considered it a strategic material and implemented an export license system.
Compared to three-axis CNC machining, five-axis CNC machining of complex surfaces has the following advantages in terms of technology and programming: improved machining quality and efficiency, expanded process range, and meet the new trends of composite development.
However, the complexity of the CNC programming, CNC system, and machine tool structure for avoiding interference and precise positioning of the tool in the machining space far exceeds that of a three-axis machine tool. Therefore, although the concept of five-axis machining seems simple, it is actually highly challenging to implement. The more critical point is that to master the advantages of five-axis machining technology, the difficulty is significantly increased. It is recommended to have a systematic training program to become proficient in operating and fully utilizing the five-axis machining technology.
When it comes to five-axis machining, the concept of true or false five-axis cannot be ignored, with the core difference being whether the RTCP function is available. RTCP, the abbreviation for Rotational Tool Center Point, means that the center point of the tool and the actual contact point between the tool and the surface of the workpiece remain constant during this function. For ball-head tools, the center point of the tool is the target trajectory point of the numerical control code, and the tool handle rotates around this point. To achieve this, real-time compensation is needed for the linear coordinate offset of the center point of the tool caused by the rotation of the tool handle, thus maintaining the center point of the tool and the contact point unchanged while changing the angle between the tool handle and the normal at the contact point to optimize cutting efficiency and avoid interference. RTCP technology focuses mainly on the center point of the tool and handles the changes in the rotating coordinates.
Five-axis machine tools and numerical control systems without the RTCP function highly depend on CAM programming and post-processing to pre-plan the tool path. Once the machine tool or tool is replaced, reprogramming and post-processing are required. These systems are usually called fake five-axis and many domestic five-axis CNC machine tools and systems belong to this category. Although they call themselves five-axis linkage, they are actually different from true five-axis systems.
Compared to three-axis CNC machining, five-axis CNC machining of complex surfaces has the following advantages in terms of technology and programming: improved machining quality and efficiency, expanded process range, and meet the new trends of composite development.
However, the complexity of the CNC programming, CNC system, and machine tool structure for avoiding interference and precise positioning of the tool in the machining space far exceeds that of a three-axis machine tool. Therefore, although the concept of five-axis machining seems simple, it is actually highly challenging to implement. The more critical point is that to master the advantages of five-axis machining technology, the difficulty is significantly increased. It is recommended to have a systematic training program to become proficient in operating and fully utilizing the five-axis machining technology.
When it comes to five-axis machining, the concept of true or false five-axis cannot be ignored, with the core difference being whether the RTCP function is available. RTCP, the abbreviation for Rotational Tool Center Point, means that the center point of the tool and the actual contact point between the tool and the surface of the workpiece remain constant during this function. For ball-head tools, the center point of the tool is the target trajectory point of the numerical control code, and the tool handle rotates around this point. To achieve this, real-time compensation is needed for the linear coordinate offset of the center point of the tool caused by the rotation of the tool handle, thus maintaining the center point of the tool and the contact point unchanged while changing the angle between the tool handle and the normal at the contact point to optimize cutting efficiency and avoid interference. RTCP technology focuses mainly on the center point of the tool and handles the changes in the rotating coordinates.
Five-axis machine tools and numerical control systems without the RTCP function highly depend on CAM programming and post-processing to pre-plan the tool path. Once the machine tool or tool is replaced, reprogramming and post-processing are required. These systems are usually called fake five-axis and many domestic five-axis CNC machine tools and systems belong to this category. Although they call themselves five-axis linkage, they are actually different from true five-axis systems.
Industry experts point out that true five-axis means five-axis five-linkage, while false five-axis may be five-axis three-linkage, with the remaining two axes used for positioning. This is only a popular term and not a professional term. Generally speaking, five-axis machine tools are divided into five-axis linkage and five-axis positioning processing. Five-axis linkage means that all five axes can be linked simultaneously, while five-axis positioning processing is actually five-axis three-linkage, with only three axes that can be linked for processing, commonly known as the 3+2 mode and can also be considered false five-axis.
In all, if you want to learn more about 5 axis machining or you are looking for 5 axis machining service, please do not heisitate to contact us!
5 Axis Machining - Something you may looking for (Part 2)
CNC Machine VS CNC: They Are Certainly Not the Same!
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