Everything you need to know about 5-Axis machining
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    • Machining Overview5-sided vs. Simultaneous 5-axis There are pros and cons to both 5-sided machining and 5-axis machining. 5-sided (3+2) Simultaneous 5-axis (full 5-axis) Simple to program Cuts faster Fewer concerns about tool interference Excellent roughing strategy Better surface finish Longer tool life Allows tool to reach difficult places smoothly Impressive but slow – avoid if possible Basics of axis configuration http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAjuZnNKEnM To understand machine configurations, it’s important to understand the basic terminology of 5-axis machining centers. If you think in terms of a 3-axis machining center, it has an X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. With a 5-axis machining center, the additional rotary axes will rotate about two of those three primary axes. The axis that rotates about the X-axis is called the A-axis. The axis that rotates about the Y-axis is called the B-axis. The axis that rotates about or under the Z-axis is called the C-axis.
    • Machine ConfigurationsDedicated 5-axis machining centers There are three types of machine configurations for 5-axis machining. Integrated trunnion table Swivel head with rotary table Traveling column Why / a swivel head with rotary table 5-axis machining center BC rotation axes configuration Heavier Parts: Because the table is stationary, the swivel head/rotary table machines are used with heavier parts. Versatility. You can add a vise for greater versatility because of the large table size. Use the extra space to finish the sixth side of the part or do 3-axis work. Minimizes tool interference Because the swivel head tilts the tool, you don’t need to worry about tool interference with the machine’s spindle head. Better chip control With the swivel head/rotary table configuration, you can run the machine horizontally and gain better chip control. Geographical preference The swivel head/tilting rotary table configuration continues to be more popular Germany and throughout Europe than the United States and Canada. Why / integrated trunnion table 5-axis machining center AC rotation axes configuration Better undercut capability The trunnion rotates +/-110 degrees versus the +/-92 degree rotation on a swivel head/rotary table design. Larger work volume compared to swivel head rotary table 5-axis machine because you don’t have to…
    • Tilt Rotary TablesTilt-Rotary Tables For some shops, adding a tilting rotary table to their 3-axis machining center is an economical solution to achieve 5-axis capabilities. There are some limitations to consider. Because the tilting-rotary tables are quite large, they monopolize most of the 3-axis machining center’s work envelope. The relatively small work surface means it should only be used for small parts (12 inches or less) and should not be used for heavy cutting operations. Additionally, you need to make sure the control of your 3-axis VMC is 5-axis capable.
  • Programming
    • Programming Overview
    • 5-Sided5-sided programming. Do you need a CAM system? For 5-sided machining, there are controls that allow machinists to program a 5-sided part without the need to buy a CAM system. This is an important consideration when a shop is considers purchasing a 5-axis machining center to do 5-sided machining. Hurco is one of a handful of controls that lets you program a part for 5-sided machining without a CAM system. As the inventors of conversational, Hurco continually leads the industry in creating a user-friendly programming method that is intuitive and decreases setup time. Read about the history of conversational programming. While you research other 5-axis machines, the following description of control software features will provide a baseline approach so you can compare capabilities from one control to the next. SUMMARY / Benefits of conversational programming for 5-sided machining No CAM system needed if you purchase a machine with the right control. Program the part at the control. Software that makes 5-sided programming fast and efficient Tool Center Point Management eliminates the need to account for the machining center’s centerlines of rotation. Instead, you simply program from part zero. Tool Center Point Management allows you to position the part anywhere on…
    • Simultaneous 5-axisControl software features for simultaneous 5-axis programming For simultaneous 5-axis programming, you can’t use conversational programming. You will need to use NC and purchase a CAM system. However, the features of your machine’s control are important to consider. Tool Path Linearization eliminates gouging of the workpiece and the line segments in the form of XYZBC or AC moves that a CAM system uses to create a smooth part. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE8KpB8i1FA Benefits Improved surface finish, smaller NC programs How it works The tool tip and tool vector are interpolated between tool positions with respect to the workpiece, even with the tool and part rotating inside the machine. The tool tip basically attaches itself to the workpiece instead of blindly following the rotations commanded. Tool Vector Input allows the control to compute machine angles and positions, and calculates the angle the tool is going to tilt from the contact point of the surface. Tool Vector Input makes part program is machine independent, which means  you can use the same part program on machines with different axis configurations. (link to Basics of Machine Axis configuration) Benefits Scheduling flexibility (the program can run on another 5-axis machine with a different axis configuration) Simplifies post processor The control…
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5-Axis Blog

5-Axis Blog

3 Axis & 5 Axis 3D Solid Model Import – Conversational CNC

3 Axis & 5 Axis 3D Solid Model Import – Conversational CNC The most frequent request we have received from customers over the past decade or so, has been for...

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5-Axis Blog

Autodesk PowerMill and Hurco machines partnering for aerospace

In this video demo (click for YouTube link or watch the embedded video below), you can see Autodesk PowerMill CAM software in action. It is machining an aluminum component for...

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5-Axis Blog

Inside John Force Racing Machine Shop [VIDEO]

More than 60% of the parts on the John Force Racing team’s cars are made at the Force American Made Machine Shop in Brownsburg, Indiana. This short but informative video,...

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Michelangelo
General 5-Axis Info

More 5-axis information: The What, Why and How of 5-Axis CNC Machining

Imagine what Michelangelo could have done with a 5-axis CNC machine! This is a nice article by Ian Wright posted on Engineering.com The above header is our favorite line of Read more…

By Mr. 5-Axis, 6 yearsSeptember 11, 2017 ago
CNC Programming with CNC Machinist
5-Axis Blog

Veterans Day Video by Hurco using Transform Plane and NC/Conversational Merge

Veterans Day Video by Hurco Professionally, Mike is the go-to guy when it comes to understanding how the Hurco control makes machinists more productive and shops more profitable. He knows Read more…

By Maggie, 6 yearsJanuary 10, 2017 ago
5-Axis Blog

The Benefits of the different types of 5-Axis machine configurations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbd3Wh87UVQ In this video Hurco Europe General Manager Dave Waghorn explains how to determine which type of 5-axis machine you should consider when looking to buy a CNC machining center. Read more…

By Maggie, 7 yearsJuly 12, 2016 ago
5-Axis Blog

Hurco announces “Take 5 for 5-axis” initiative

Hurco has announced its latest initiative, Take 5 for 5-axis. The company has developed this initiative to bring together manufacturers to evaluate the merits of 5-sided machining for traditional 3-axis parts with features Read more…

By Mr. 5-Axis, 8 yearsJune 25, 2015 ago
5-Axis Blog

5-Axis…it just ain’t that scary

5-Axis…it just ain’t that scary This is a blog written by Mike Cope a Hurco Applications Engineer dating back to 2013 regarding 5-Axis machining and the perception that it is Read more…

By Mr. 5-Axis, 8 yearsJune 15, 2015 ago
5-axis CNC webinar
Videos

Take 5 for 5-axis Webinar

Complex technology simplified If you own a job shop or supervise a tool room, you continually have to do more with less…figuring out which equipment will help you increase the Read more…

By Mr. 5-Axis, 8 yearsApril 29, 2015 ago
CNC Machine Jaguar Parts made on CNC
5-Axis Blog

Jaguar Subcontractor goes from 2+ hours/part to 20 minutes/part by adopting 5-axis process

Knuckling down for JLR (this article was created by Engineering Capacity) 22 Jan 2014 Philip James produced the front steering knuckles for the limited edition XKR-S GT Coventry subcontractor Philip Read more…

By Maggie, 9 yearsJanuary 30, 2014 ago

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