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5-axis milling

Machining where a workpiece is processed by a rotating tool with computer-controlled movement usually in 5 or more axes.

Beskrivning
Illustration of 5-axis milling

The process

5-axis milling has become a bit of a generic name for numerically controlled machines that can mill more complex forms without the need of reclamping.

In addition to the positioning in the X, Y and Z, it has possibility to rotate the workpiece and/or tool around one or more of these axes. This way 5- and 6-axis machines is usually achieved. When adding additional movement to both the rotating worktable and the tool axis as well as adding anohter tool, the number will be further expanded. 

Different types and combinations of shaft guides thus provides various opportunities for the movement of both the workpiece and the tool so you cannot determine the machine-building and opportunities just from knowing the number of axes. Thus, the axis-term in many cases is inaccurate but provide an indication of how complex shapes can be produced.

Fast axes of rotation of the work table clamping means that it can even perform turning operations.

Through a variety of milling tools many forms and complex shapes can be created. Many controlled machines are also equipped with a tool magazines such as automatic switching device between the different milling and turning operations.