Xiamen CNC Five-axis Machining Center

Xiamen CNC five-axis machining center

If you do not understand the structural characteristics of a five-axis machine tool, then purchasing such equipment is equivalent to a waste of money. Many factories in Xiamen have paid high tuition for this before. Today we will conduct a very thorough analysis of this issue.

What do the three linear axes do?

The X-axis is responsible for the horizontal direction, the Y-axis is responsible for the vertical direction, and the Z-axis is responsible for the up and down direction. By moving these three axes simultaneously, planes and simple curved surface structures can be cut. Once a part with a bevel is encountered, the workpiece must be turned over repeatedly, and each clamping operation takes at least twenty minutes.

The stroke of the linear axis determines to a large extent the actual machining range that can be performed. For machine models that are more common in the Xiamen area, the X-axis stroke is usually within the range of 800 mm to two meters, while the Z-axis stroke generally starts from 600 mm.

Therefore, before purchasing, you must make sure the size of the largest workpiece you want to use is accurate. Do not choose a model with a small stroke just because you are cheap. Otherwise, if you find that the size is not suitable when you use it later, it will be very difficult and impossible to modify or adjust it again.

The two rotating axes are the soul

The A-axis rotates around the X-axis, and the C-axis rotates around the Z-axis. The existence of these two rotational axes allows the tool to cut the workpiece from a variety of different angles. For the twisted surfaces of the engine blades and the grooves of the turbine disks, it is difficult to reach and process them using three-axis equipment. Five-axis equipment only requires one clamping operation to complete the entire processing process.

The accuracy of the rotation axis directly determines the error generated during positioning to a considerable extent. An aero-engine blade manufacturing company located in Xiamen once reported that when the repeated positioning deviation of the C-axis reaches 2 arc seconds, the entire equipment will fail to pass the relevant testing standards for air tightness.

Therefore, when selecting equipment, you must focus on big brands and never just pay attention to the surface parameters written on the outside.

What is the difference between simultaneous machining and three-axis machining?

When performing three-axis cutting of complex curved surfaces, the workpiece needs to undergo two or three flipping operations, and each time the clamping action is performed, an accumulated error value will be generated. This value ranges from 0.01 mm to 0.03 mm.

If a five-axis linkage processing method is adopted, the parts only need to be clamped once, and the overall error value in the entire process can be compressed and controlled to less than 0.005 mm. If you want to manufacture mold products with high precision requirements or implanted parts in the human body, then the difference directly constitutes a clear dividing line between the qualification standards and the scrap results.

There is a mold factory in Huli District, Xiamen. In 2024, three five-axis machine tools were installed. This shortened the development cycle from eighteen days to eleven days, and the complaint rate was also reduced by half. However, the programming must keep up. If the path planning is not good, even if there is a five-axis machine tool, it will not be able to cut a better surface.

The operating threshold is not that low

Programming work must rely on software such as UGNX or Hydrosin. If there is an error in any aspect of the tool path or collision detection, everything will have to be reworked. There are very few local talents in Xiamen who can independently write five-axis programs . Structural Characteristics of Five-Axis Machining Machine Tools Structural Characteristics of Five-Axis Machining Machine Tools . Many companies choose to outsource this method to process a complex workpiece. The programming fee is about two to three thousand yuan.

If the parameters of speed, feed and depth of cut are set incorrectly, the surface of the workpiece will become rough and the tool will break. The lubrication system needs to be checked every two hours, because if the cutting debris is not cleaned in time, the rotating axis guide rail will be stuck, and the accuracy of the equipment may change after half a year.

When performing maintenance work, do not be lazy in order to save costs. If you save money on one maintenance, the final price you pay will be ten percent of the savings.

Which hard indicators should you look for when choosing equipment?

First determine the processing dimensions, then determine the accuracy requirements, and then examine the rigidity of the machine tool. Stroke and repeatable positioning accuracy are basic capabilities. If the rigidity is insufficient, vibration will occur under large cutting volume conditions and the surface quality will be destroyed. In the Xiamen market, DMG, Haas and Jingdiao each have their own focuses, and the price difference can be as much as double.

When evaluating a control system, you should not just focus on whether it has many functions. The real key lies in how easy it is to get started. If a newly hired worker still cannot learn to operate it after three full days, the equipment utilization will directly become low. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant personnel go to the dealer's location and arrange for new employees to test the machine in person for two hours. This approach will be more practical and effective than boring instructions.

Trends and pitfalls to avoid

The current mainstream model is to use a five-axis machining center and a robot to perform loading and unloading operations. In the Xiamen area, some factories have achieved unattended operation at night.

The so-called intelligent simulation technology can allow collision accidents to be calculated in advance, thereby reducing the error rate to less than one-tenth of the manual operation level. But the purchase cost of the equipment is not cheap. For a medium-sized five-axis machining center, the price range is between 800,000 yuan and 2 million yuan.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, the most realistic pitfall is to buy a five-axis machine tool but only use it to do three-axis work. If the vibration and thermal deformation are not properly managed, all the advantages in accuracy will be wasted. Therefore, you should first take out typical parts for trial production for three months, and then continue to lower orders after passing the process. Don't take on big jobs right away.

Is programming or maintenance the most troublesome thing about five-axis machines in your factory? In the comment area, say a few words about the structural characteristics of five-axis machining machine tools and Xiamen CNC five-axis machining center. If you find it useful, please give it a like and forward it to your peers.