Enhance Your Production Efficiency with 4-Axis Machining Centers
4-axis machining centers. Single or multi-spindle. Turnkey solutions for horizontal machining, vertical machining, and inverted machining. Full automation options available.
4-axis machining has paved the way for high-precision machining and offers more precision and accuracy than a conventional CNC machine using 3-axis technology. Many parts- and component manufacturers within the automotive and aerospace industry and other areas have upgraded to a 4-axis machining center to produce more complex designs in one machine within a setup.
This upgrade is an effective way to increase productivity, saving both time and money. But what does 4-axis machining mean, and what differentiates it from 3-axis and 5-axis machining? We will clarify everything about 4-axis machining and highlight the 4 axis machining solutions MODIG offers.
What is 4-axis machining?
4-axis machining has evolved from the most common type of CNC machines working with 3-axis technology. In comparison, 3-axis machining is limited to move the spindle on three linear axes (X, Y, and Z). 4-axis machining, on the other hand, can rotate on one axis and open up to more complex operations in one setup. The rotation is made possible by the 4-axis, which allows rotation on the x-axis. And it enables the workpiece to rotate during machining. It is, therefore, feasible to machine four sides of the part in one single fixture setup.
4-axis machining center
A 4-axis machining center is a versatile machine that can perform various operations with ease and accuracy. 4 axis machining allows high-quality, detailed work and complex drilling and milling to a higher degree than a conventional CNC machine using 3-axis machining technology.
4-AXIS HORIZONTAL MACHINING CENTERS FROM MODIG
MODIG provides manufacturing solutions with the latest technology industry standards, giving our customers many competitive advantages. Our 4-axis machining technology is no exception. Our inverted, horizontal, and vertical 4-axis machining center increases your overall machining capacities by enabling you to create very complex parts and components in one setup. Here is our machining centers available with 4-axis option.
Multi-axis machines have many advantages over standard CNC machines using 3-axis machining technology. Here we shed light on the most important benefits of 4-axis machining.
Greater Accuracy
Four-axis CNC machines offer multiple faces without transferring the piece from a fixture, making exact capabilities. This degree of precision results in less litter and also a rise in earnings.
Attain Complexity in Part Designs
The most typical reason to use a 4-axis machining center is to manufacture complex parts and components. Four-axis machines, built for comprehensive function, can access peculiar angles without design complex fixturing.
Faster production time
A 4-axis machining center reduces the cycle time because the machine is performing collective processes in one setup. A 4-axis machining center does not have to be stopped to turn the part of the fixture, which means no downtime to change tools or have an operator rotate the component manually.
3-AXIS, 4-AXIS, OR 5-AXIS MACHINING?
When choosing a CNC machining center, how many axes do you need for the CNC milling machine? It’s a tricky question for every CNC mill purchaser, therefore, let’s shortly enter the differences between 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis machining.
3-axis machining
3-axis machining is the most straightforward type of machining, where the workpiece is fixed in one position. The spindle can move over three linear axis X, Y, and Z. In other words, the spindle can move back and forth to left and right and up and down. For some machined components, this is a perfectly appropriate way to get the job done. 3-axis machining is suitable for parts that don’t demand a great deal of detail and depth. And it is most commonly utilized to create mechanical parts and is best suited for automatic/interactive performance, milling slots, drilling pockets, cutting sharp borders. With 3-axis machining, the cutting tool’s angle remains uniform, pointing sideways or downwards, making it more difficult to cut away portions of the substance in hard-to-reach segments of the workpiece, such as crevices.
In a 3-axis machining center, it may be necessary to make several settings for one part. If the component needs to be machined on several sides, it may need to be removed from the unit, redirected, then returned to the machine for further cutting. Multiple settings’ requirements can drastically reduce productivity. Using 4-axis or 5-axis machining can decrease the number of setups needed and let you do more complex machining without adjustments and stops, thereby increasing your productivity.
4-axis machining
With 4-axis machining adding rotation to the three linear axis X, Y and Z, it is possible to process more than one side of the workpiece in one setup. Using a 4-axis machining center instead of a 3-axis machining center decreases the number of setups and readily manages multi-sided pieces. A 4-axis machining center is perfect if you require high quality and a precise result and can, for example, be used for intermittent cutting, continuous cutting, engraving curved surfaces.
5-axis machining
5-axis machining offers three linear axes and two axes of rotation that work simultaneously to achieve complex surface machining in a single installation. In a 5-axis machining center, the spindle can move on three linear axes (X, Y, and Z) and rotate on two axes (A and B or A and C) that work simultaneously. The main difference between 4-axis machining and 5-axis machining is the extra rotation added. When a 4-axis machine can process four sides of a part, the 5-axis machine can move a tool in five different axes simultaneously offers more flexibility and higher precision with less operator supervision. 5 axis machining is beneficial when components require a great deal of complexity and accuracy.
