Rapid development of five-axis linkage machining and composite machining equipment

Release time:

2025-02-19

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Abstract

Using five-axis linkage for the processing of three-dimensional curved surface parts allows for the use of optimal tool geometries for cutting, resulting in not only high surface finish  but also a significant increase in efficiency. It is generally believed that the efficiency of one five-axis machine tool can equal that of two three-axis machine tools, especially when using ultra-hard materials like cubic boron nitride end mills for high-speed milling of hardened steel parts, where five-axis processing can achieve higher benefits compared to three-axis processing. However, in the past, due to the complexity of five-axis CNC systems and the structure of the main machine, its price was several times higher than that of three-axis CNC machine tools, coupled with the difficulty of programming technology, which restricted the development of five-axis machine tools.

Using five-axis linkage for the processing of three-dimensional surface parts allows for the use of the best geometric shapes for cutting tools, resulting in not only high smoothness  but also a significant increase in efficiency. It is generally believed that the efficiency of one five-axis machine tool can equal that of two three-axis machine tools, especially when using ultra-hard materials like cubic boron nitride for high-speed milling of hardened steel parts, where five-axis processing can achieve higher benefits than three-axis processing. However, in the past, due to the complexity of five-axis CNC systems and the structure of the main machine, its price was several times higher than that of three-axis CNC machine tools, coupled with the difficulty of programming technology, which restricted the development of five-axis machine tools.

Currently, with the emergence of electric spindles, the structure of composite spindle heads for achieving five-axis linkage processing has been greatly simplified, significantly reducing manufacturing difficulty and cost, and narrowing the price gap of CNC systems. This has promoted the development of five-axis linkage machine tools with composite spindle head types and composite processing machine tools.