What is 5-axis CNC Machining?

It might sound odd, but if the Renaissance artist could have traded his hammer and chisel for a computer numerical control (CNC) and the right machine tools, we could have had thousands of statues of David carved from a host of different materials. If you`re still in doubt about describing 5-axis machining as an art, click here or here. Whether you`re sculpting a masterpiece from marble or milling a blisk from titanium, the basic principle is the same: start with a block of material and remove the unnecessary bits until the target object is all that`s left. Of course, the details of that process are much more complicated, especially for 5-axis machining. In the simplest terms, 5-axis machining involves using a CNC to move a part or cutting tool along five different axes simultaneously. This enables the machining of very complex parts, which is why 5-axis is especially popular for aerospace applications. However, several factors have contributed to the wider adoption of 5-axis machining. These include: 1)A push toward single-setup machining (sometimes referred to as [Done-in-One") to reduce lead time and increase efficiency 2)The ability to avoid collision with the tool holder by tilting the cutting tool or the table, which also allows better access to part geometry 3)Improved tool life and cycle time as a result of tilting the tool/table to maintain optimum cutting position and constant chip load