5 axis Milling can reduce the cost and improve accuracy in machined parts.
We’ve always embraced new technology here. NC’s were in our shop in the 60′s-long before most of the industry had even heard of them, let along the average person on the street. Seems it wasn’t that long ago that “CNC-machined parts” caught on as a buzzword.
So as of late, we’ve taken another step ahead of the pack from 3 axis to 5 axis milling.
So what’s the big deal? That’s what we used to say.
Almost anything you can do on a 5 axis mill can be done on a 3 axis mill with a little ingenuity. It’s just that:
- on a 5 axis, it takes less operations to do it
- on a 5 axis, it take less time. less operations mean less setup time
- on a 5 axis, it’s more accurate. less operations mean more re-fixturing. if you can avoid re-fixturing
- on a 5 axis, it’s more efficient. less setups mean less chance of scrap
- on a 5 axis, it’s more consistent
So hour for hour, yes 5 axis is more expensive. But if it takes less time on a 5 axis mill than a 3 axis one, with better accuracy, better consistency, and less scrap, the value and benefit are indisputable.
Not every part needs 5 axis treatment. The ones that do will benefit greatly from 5 axis milling.
When it comes down to 5-axis machining, saving money and time is a no-brainer.