5 Axis Vertical Machining Center

NT was founded in 2009, we are committed to providing customers with internationally advanced technology and localized services. We have gradually developed from a trading company to a comprehensive company that integrates trade, manufacturing, integration, transformation, and parts processing services.
NT Industrial Automation System Ltd is located in Weihai, Shandong, China, and specialized in R&D and manufacturing of high-end precision CNC machine tools and industrial automation systems.
NT is committed to bringing advanced manufacturing technology to users and providing reliable products and services. Across multiple aspects of R&D and manufacturing of machine tool and automation system, production line retooling and retrofitting, tooling management service, and maintenance outsourcing service, NT has been providing integrated solutions with expertise to our valued customers.

Minimized setup
A 5-axis machine allows you to work on every surface, apart from the clamping area and the bottom. When working on contoured parts or parts that require machining on several faces, you need several setups of the 3-axis machine to achieve the complex geometry through manual rotating; 5-axis technology completes the job in a single setup, reducing the number of setups and helping you save time.

Complex designs
The additional movement available with 5-axis machining allows you to achieve complex shapes and designs. With the 5-axis machine, you have access to machining angles and arcs that were previously achievable only through multiple setups and a myriad of special fixtures. Ultimately, 5-axis machining eliminates the need to create complex fixtures as you can hold the part once and rotate in a single process to achieve the desired geometry.

Rotational accuracy
Every time you remove a part from a machine, you lose the precise alignment that allows you to achieve superior quality. Unlike 3-axis machining, 5-axis machining improves accuracy by allowing you to complete a task in a single set up, and create multiple and complex shapes without losing the precision required to maintain quality.

Faster material removal
In 5-axis machining, the cutting tool remains tangential to the cutting surface, allowing for low cycle times, which helps save costs as you remove more material each time the tool passes.

Better surface finishes
The fourth and fifth axes help you orient and bring the part closer to the cutting tool, allowing you to use a shorter cutting tool, which is less susceptible to vibration at extremely high cutting speeds, helping you achieve a better surface finish. It also saves you time; when using a 3 axis machine, you must make use of very small cuts to achieve a good surface finish, which leads to longer lead times.

Most machinists are familiar with a manual, 3-axis vertical milling machine. The three linear axes dictate how the parts of the machine move:

X-axis: The operator can move the worktable to the left or right.
Y-axis: The table can move forward or backward.
Z-axis: The operator can move the head of the cutting tool up or down to adjust the depth of the cut.

A 3-axis CNC router uses the same movements along those three axes. However, instead of manually adjusting the machine, a CNC router is programmed using computer-assisted design or manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software. The software directs the machine to follow a tool path according to specific coordinates, moving along the X, Y, and Z axes simultaneously. CNC routers are popular in the woodworking industry, where they're used to make three-dimensional signage, cabinets, furniture, and more.

In addition to moving along the X, Y, and Z axes, a 5-axis machine also has two rotary axes, known as the A-axis and B-axis. All five axes can engage at the same time to perform complex cutting movements. Instead of a fixed tool head, the 4th and 5th axis means the cutting tool can approach a workpiece from any direction. With a single setup, an operator can machine multiple sides of a part. Note that some machines also have a C-axis that provides rotation around the Z-axis.

These specialty machines with five axes have the freedom of motion to produce very complex shapes. For example, if you wanted to create a partial cavity or an overhang, you would need to reset the part midway through the process on a standard 3-axis horizontal machining center. With the 5-axis CNC, you simply program in the instructions and you don't have to reposition the material or the tool. The result is shorter setup times, the ability to produce more complicated parts, and easier repeatability.

Select the right software and controls
Before jumping on a 5-axis CNC mill, you must get the right information. Getting the right information involves analyzing design data for accuracy and correctness. Verifying the design process before translating the CAD design into its CAM equivalent is also important.

With the right information, selecting the ideal CAD/CAM software and controls is possible for accomplishing the design task. The software is a simulation software for monitoring the part size, interference, and tool length.

Also, with this information, it becomes possible to undertake a cost analysis to ensure using the right and most cost-effective process for the job.

Select a tool-detection system
Using the wrong tool for the job increases the risk of errors. Besides, the wrong tool would wear easily, or break during machining, consequently increasing the cost of production and reducing product quality. One way to mitigate this is by using a tool detection system. This system helps you analyze the tool you want to use, ensuring it is the right one for the job and minimizing errors.

Prevent collisions
Collisions lead to defective components or a damaged machine. Fortunately, there are software tools that can help mitigate this risk. So, how does it work? This software simulates the design process and often sees the collision before it happens, providing a way to change the design command.