5-axis CNC Machining Services
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5 Axis Machining
With RapidDirect
RapidDirect’s 5-axis machining services offer unparallel speed and flexibility. With an extensive range of advanced 5-axis CNC machines and a long list of materials, RapidDirect has the capability to deliver the best 5-axis machined parts.
Our experienced team and manufacturing capabilities help rapidly design and fabricate complex, time-sensitive components. With world-class equipment, expertise, and experience, RapidDirect uses two outstanding setups to provide precise, complex parts.
What is 5-axis Machining?
5-axis CNC machining is an advanced manufacturing process that allows the cutting tool to move simultaneously across five different axes. This capability is essential for producing complex, high-precision parts with greater efficiency and fewer setups. Industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing rely on 5-axis machining services for intricate components that require extreme accuracy.
5-axis VS. 3-axis Machining
In CNC machining, selecting between 3-axis and 5-axis systems greatly affects production capabilities. 3-axis machining operates along the X, Y, and Z axes, making it suitable for simpler parts with flat surfaces, commonly used in industries like automotive, construction, and aerospace due to its efficiency and lower costs.
In contrast, 5-axis machining adds two rotational axes, allowing the tool to cut from multiple angles, which is ideal for creating highly intricate parts with complex geometries. This system is preferred in fields such as aerospace, medical, and advanced automotive manufacturing, where precision and tighter tolerances are critical.
Although 5-axis systems involve higher upfront costs, they offer greater production efficiency by reducing the need for multiple setups and lowering the chances of human error. Ultimately, 3-axis machines are ideal for basic designs, while 5-axis machines excel in producing complex components requiring greater accuracy.
Materials for Custom 5-axis CNC Machining
Your 5-axis milling services are compatible with a wide array of materials, ranging from metals to plastics. Depending on your applications, you can choose from the over 50 production-grade materials we offer at RapidDirect. See our list of 5-axis CNC machining materials. You can also contact us to discuss your unique requirements.
Surface Finishes for 5 Axis CNC Machining
With an extensive list of surface finishes available, RapidDirect can enhance the surface quality of your 5-axis machined parts. Applying these finishes help improve the appearance of the components, their surface roughness, hardness, corrosion resistance, and more. They also hide visible tool marks on the products’ surfaces.
Polishing
5-Axis CNC
Machining Capabilities
Our ISO 9001 certification shows that we fabricate 5-axis milled parts to meet the tightest tolerance requirements. Our standard tolerance for CNC-milled plastics is ISO-2768-m and ISO-2768-f for metals. Get high-quality and precise complex parts with top-notch dimensional stability.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Part Size | 4000×1500×600 mm |
| Minimum Part Size | 5 x 5 x 5 mm |
| General Tolerances | Within ±0.002 mm |
| Lead Time | For standard operations, lead times can be as short as 2-3 days, while more complex projects might require up to 2 weeks. |
5 Axis CNC Machining
Design Guidelines
| Recommended Size | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Feature Size | Minimum feature size should be no less than 0.5 mm in width or depth to ensure structural integrity. |
| Linear Dimension | Maintain a precision within ±0.005 mm for linear dimensions to ensure accuracy across the machined part. |
| Hole Diameters (not reamed) | Holes can be machined with diameters starting from 1 mm up to 40 mm without reaming for precision sizing. |
| Shaft Diameters | Shaft diameters should range from 2 mm to 300 mm, considering the tool accessibility and torque requirements. |
| Threads and Tapped Holes | Threads from M2 to M24 can be machined. Ensure to provide adequate relief at the bottom of tapped holes. |
| Text | Minimum text height of 1.5 mm with a depth of 0.5 mm for clarity after machining. |
RapidDirect 5-axis Machine Shop
Check out our incredible line of well-functioning 5-axis machining centers ranging from the best 5-axis horizontal machining centers to top-notch vertical machining centers. With a fleet of 9 sets of 5-axis CNC machines, we have the capacity and capability to handle large-scale production while maintaining precision and efficiency. These advanced machines, combined with our skilled technicians, allow us to meet diverse manufacturing needs across various industries. Trust our services to deliver results that perfectly suit your requirements.
Contact us for a free quote or more information on RapidDirect’s 5-Axis CNC machining services. We offer custom solutions for precise, durable, and strong parts in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet your project needs.
700+
Sets of Machine
120+
Countries Shipped
20,000+
Customers Served
Start Your
CNC Machining Project
Kickstart your project with our easy-to-use online quoting platform. Upload a CAD file to receive instantly quotes, lead time, and DFM details for your CNC components. Specializing in CNC machining for metals and plastics, we provide adaptive production and shipping solutions to align with your product development needs.
Why
Choose Us
Parts
Experience unparalleled precision in each undertaking. Our advanced milling processes ensure components adhere to tight tolerances, as tight as ±0.01mm, resulting in seamless assembly and operational excellence.
Time
Accelerate your manufacturing cycle. RapidDirect domestic workshops and state-of-the-art machinery guarantee fast turnaround times, helping businesses maintain momentum and meet critical deadlines.
Support
No matter you whenever and whereever, navigate your CNC milling projects with confidence. Our seasoned specialists offer insightful guidance at every step, maximizing design optimization and output quality.
Success Stories of
5 Axis CNC Machining Services
Simultaneous 5 Axis vs 3+2 Axis CNC Machining
Simultaneous 5-Axis Machining
Fast, effective, and continuous 5-axis CNC machining with improved transitioning and surface quality. Here, we use 5-axis machining center that can continuously adjust the movements on all five axes without stopping. Our 5-axis CNC machining has intelligent functionalities to ensure efficient continuous processes and transitions.
3+2 Axis Machining
Take advantage of the optimal 3+2 axis machining technology for your unique applications. The process keeps the part fixed in a specific orientation to allow the usual 3-axis machining process. Our 3+2 axis machining uses shorter, more rigid cutting tools to offer your parts better dimensional stability. Get complex CNC machined parts with tight tolerances at lower costs and cycle time.
Trunnion-Style vs Swivel-Rotate-Style 5-Axis Machining
Trunnion-style machining centers
Feature a fixed table and a spindle that moves and rotates along two axes. This design allows for the machining of complex parts from multiple angles in a single setup, making it highly efficient for heavy or larger workpieces due to the stable support from the table.
Swivel-Rotate-Style machining
Also known as a table-table configuration, involves the part being affixed to a table that rotates and tilts, while the spindle remains in a fixed position. This style is particularly advantageous for intricate parts that require high precision, as it offers excellent accessibility to various part features and can handle smaller, more delicate components effectively.
Advantages of 5 Axis CNC Machining
5-axis CNC machining offers significant advantages over traditional 3-axis machining, making it a valuable choice for complex and precision-demanding projects.
- Complex Geometries: Allows for the machining of intricate designs and complex shapes from any angle, reducing the need for multiple setups.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Minimizes handling errors associated with multiple setups, improving the overall accuracy of the finished product.
- Improved Surface Finish: The tool can maintain an optimal angle relative to the surface, enhancing the quality of the surface finish and reducing the need for secondary finishing operations.
- Use of Shorter Cutting Tools: Enables closer positioning of the tool to the workpiece, which reduces tool deflection and vibration, leading to more precise cuts.
- Increased Productivity: Reduces overall production time by combining what traditionally requires several machine setups into a single setup.
- Material Conservation: Efficient tool paths and advanced control minimize material waste, which is especially beneficial when working with expensive materials.
Applications of 5 Axis CNC Machining
5-axis CNC machining is extensively utilized for its versatility in creating various part types across multiple industries.
- Aerospace Components: Crafting airframe structures and engine parts that require complex contours and must withstand extreme conditions. Examples include turbine disks, compressor blades, and swivel bearings.
- Automotive Parts: Producing transmission gears, engine mounts, and complex hub assemblies. These parts often involve intricate features and deep pocket cuts, which 5-axis CNC machining handles efficiently.
- Medical Implants: Manufacturing bespoke medical implants such as hip joints and cranial plates. These require highly customized shapes and smooth finishes to match patient anatomy.
- Die and Mold Making: Creating complex molds, dies, and fixtures that are crucial for the mass production of other products. This includes injection molds and stamping dies with detailed features and tight tolerances.
- Marine Parts: Building parts for boats and other marine vehicles, such as propellers and hull components. These parts often have complex designs and require precise machining to ensure performance and durability in harsh environments.
- Energy Sector Components: Machining parts used in power generation equipment, such as wind turbine hubs and solar panel frames. These require high precision to ensure efficiency and long-term reliability.
FAQs
Yes, 5-axis CNC machining is renowned for its ability to achieve exceptionally tight tolerances. It can typically maintain precision within ±0.005 mm. This high level of accuracy is due to the machine’s capability to access five sides of a part in a single setup, reducing the number of setups required and minimizing errors associated with repositioning. The simultaneous movement along five axes allows for closer tool paths, ensuring precise adherence to design specifications, especially for complex geometries.
The cost of 5-axis CNC milling services can vary widely based on several factors such as the complexity of the part, the type of material used, and the required precision. Generally, prices might range from $75 to $250 per hour depending on these variables. For a specific quote, it’s best to provide detailed drawings and specify material requirements on RapidDirect online platform so that a more accurate estimation can be calculated. Remember, while 5-axis machining might have a higher hourly rate, it often reduces the total production time and number of setups needed.
Opt for 5-axis CNC machining when manufacturing parts with complex geometries, intricate details, or when high precision is critical. This technology is ideal for parts that require machining from multiple sides in a single setup or where multiple tool angles are necessary to achieve the design. Industries such as aerospace, medical, and automotive, where the geometrical complexities and tight tolerances are common, significantly benefit from 5-axis machining. It is also preferable when aiming to reduce lead times and improve surface finishes without compromising on detail.
The main difference between 5-axis and 3-axis machining lies in their respective capabilities and the complexity of parts they can handle. 3-axis machining operates along three axes (X, Y, and Z), suitable for parts with relatively simple geometries. It typically requires multiple setups and repositioning to reach all sides of the part. Conversely, 5-axis machining adds two additional rotational axes, allowing the cutting tool to approach the part from virtually any direction. This capability makes it ideal for complex shapes, reducing setup times and improving precision by minimizing handling.
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