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Popularization of High-End Five-Axis CNC Equipment

What's the difference between 5-axis 3+2 and 5-axis simultaneous control?

1.3+2 Position Machining When running a 3-axis milling program, the two rotary axes of a 5-axis machine are used to hold the cutting tool at an angled position—this is precisely why it’s called 3+2 machining technology. Similarly, 4-axis and 5-axis machines are also referred to as "5-axis machines," as their operation involves non-continuous movements, instead relying on fixed positions to determine the orientation of the cutting tool during machining. The principle behind 3+2 positioning machining essentially enables three-axis functionality at specific angles (hence the term "positioning"). In short, after the machine rotates to a particular angle, it can then proceed with standard 3-axis machining operations. 2. What Is Five-Axis Simultaneous Machining? According to ISO standards, when describing the motion of numerically controlled machines, a left-handed Cartesian coordinate system is employed. In this system, the axis parallel to the spindle is defined as the Z-axis, with an additional V-axis added for reference. The rotational coordinates around the X, Y, and Z axes are designated as A, B, and C, respectively. Typically, five-axis simultaneous machining refers to the linear interpolation motion involving all five coordinates: X, Y, Z, A, and B. 3. Differences Between 3+2 Positioning and Five-Axis Simultaneous Machining While both 3+2 positioning and five-axis simultaneous machining cater to different industry needs, they serve distinct purposes: five-axis simultaneous machining is ideal for complex surface machining, whereas 3+2 positioning excels in flat-surface applications. Advantages of 3+2 Positioning Machining: 1) Shorter tool paths lead to higher rigidity, allowing for the use of sturdier cutting tools—perfect for those working with UG programming resources. 2) The tool can be positioned at an angle relative to the workpiece surface, enabling the spindle head to extend lower and get closer to the part. 3) Reduced tool travel distances result in shorter program codes and faster machining cycles. Limitations of 3+2 Positioning Machining: 3+2 positioning is often set at a fixed angle relative to the spindle. For intricate parts requiring multiple angled views to cover the entire workpiece, this approach may lead to overlapping tool paths, ultimately increasing machining time. Advantages of Five-Axis Simultaneous Machining: 1) Eliminates the need for specialized fixtures, significantly reducing fixture costs and minimizing the number of required clamps, thereby enhancing mold machining precision. 2) Decreases the overall number of fixtures needed for the process. 3) Reduces reliance on specialized tools, lowering tooling expenses. 4) During machining, the effective length of the cutting edge can be increased, which helps minimize cutting forces, extend tool life, and cut down on operational costs. Limitations of Five-Axis Simultaneous Machining: 1) Compared to 3+2 positioning, the spindle’s rigidity is slightly compromised. 2) There are instances where employing a five-axis system isn’t advisable—for example, when using excessively short tools or oversized tool holders, as certain tilt angles could inevitably cause vibrations. 3) Compared to traditional three-axis machines, five-axis systems tend to produce slightly higher machining accuracy errors. Five-axis simultaneous numerical control represents a sophisticated integration of computer control, high-performance servo drives, and advanced machining techniques. It’s a highly challenging yet widely applicable digital control technology designed for the automated processing of complex curved surfaces. Internationally, five-axis CNC technology is regarded as a key indicator of a nation’s level of automation in manufacturing equipment. Due to its critical importance—particularly in sectors like civil aviation—and its inherent technical complexity, Western industrialized nations have historically classified five-axis CNC systems as strategic materials subject to strict export licensing regulations.

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CCTV-2, China Central Television's Finance Channel, visits AFMING

On the morning of September 27, CCTV-2’s CCTV Finance Channel visited Dongguan AFMING Numerical Control Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. Journalists engaged in discussions with Huang Yongsheng, General Manager of AFMING, Yu Xuelin, Director of the R&D Department, and other senior company executives and relevant officials, gaining an in-depth understanding of how CNC machine tools—often referred to as the "industrial mother machines"—play a pivotal role in high-end manufacturing. Following the post-pandemic recovery of the manufacturing sector, China’s machine tool industry has taken the global lead, with production capacity among the first to rebound. In particular, industrial mother machines are now experiencing a surge in orders, especially driven by the rapid growth of emerging industries such as new energy vehicles and 5G technologies. As a result, demand for mid-to-high-end machine tools has soared across the market. Leveraging its deep-rooted technological expertise, AFMING stands out for its highly efficient and reliable machining performance, earning widespread customer trust and making its five-axis machines an increasingly popular choice. To meet the explosive rise in orders, AFMING has significantly expanded its production capacity, with workers operating around the clock in three shifts to keep up with soaring demand. Currently, the company’s order backlog extends well into March of next year. **R&D Strengths** AFMING is firmly rooted in the relentless pursuit of European technology, mastering core innovations that continuously fuel the brand’s commitment to pioneering advancements in its own right. Backed by a robust technological engine, we provide unparalleled processing efficiency and comprehensive, highly effective solutions tailored to customers engaged in the intricate and precision-oriented milling of complex components and molds. **Accuracy From Milling Head (AFMING)** The name AFMING itself is derived from an English acronym, symbolizing our unwavering dedication since the company’s inception to tackle critical components at the heart of high-end CNC machine tools—such as spindles, five-axis rotary tables, and five-axis heads. With profound insights into the fundamental principles of advanced CNC machinery and cutting-edge algorithms, we’ve steadily deepened our understanding of machine tool technology. This ongoing research and development not only strengthens our capabilities in design, manufacturing, and sales but also ensures we remain at the forefront of international machine tool innovation—laying a solid foundation for China’s growing prowess in manufacturing these essential industrial machines.

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The Development Journey of Domestic Five-Axis Brands

Five-axis domestic-brand machining is a type of CNC machine tool processing method. According to ISO’s head-of-machine convention, CNC machine movements are described using a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system. Specifically, the axis parallel to the spindle is defined as the Z-axis, while the rotational axes around the X, Y, and Z axes are designated as A, B, and C, respectively. Each of these axes can be driven either by the worktable or by the tool itself; however, the direction of movement is determined by how the tool moves relative to the workpiece. Typically, five-axis domestic-brand simultaneous control refers to linear interpolation motion involving any five of the six possible axes—X, Y, Z, A, B, and C. In other words, "five-axis" means three linear axes (X, Y, Z) combined with any two rotational axes. Compared to conventional three-axis machining (which offers three degrees of freedom—X, Y, and Z)—five-axis domestic-brand machining allows the cutting tool to achieve positioning and orientation in all five degrees of freedom when working on parts with complex geometries. The machine tools used for five-axis domestic-brand machining are commonly referred to as five-axis domestic-brand machines or five-axis domestic-brand machining centers. This technology is widely applied in industries such as civil aviation, where it excels at producing mechanical components with free-form surfaces, including turbine parts and impellers. By enabling the machining of multiple sides of a workpiece without repositioning it on the machine, five-axis domestic-brand machining significantly boosts the efficiency of manufacturing prismatic-shaped parts. As the backbone of a nation’s industrial sector, equipment manufacturing provides critical tools for developing new technologies and products, as well as supporting modern industrial production—it’s an indispensable strategic industry that even highly industrialized nations prioritize. In recent years, driven by China’s rapid economic growth and the increasing demands of national defense initiatives, there has been a surging need for CNC machine tools. After all, machine tools serve as a key indicator of a country’s overall manufacturing prowess. On another note, five-axis domestic-brand CNC machine tool systems represent the pinnacle of machine tool manufacturing, reflecting—on one level—at a nation’s broader industrial development capabilities. These systems play a decisive role across various sectors, including civil aviation, scientific research, precision instrumentation, and high-end medical equipment. Today, it’s widely recognized that five-axis domestic-brand CNC systems are essential for tackling complex machining challenges related to components like impellers, blades, marine propellers, heavy-duty generator rotors, steam turbine rotors, and large diesel engine crankshafts. As a result, whenever engineers encounter unresolved issues during the design and fabrication of intricate curved surfaces, they often turn to five-axis domestic-brand CNC solutions. However, due to their high cost and the complexity involved in creating CNC programs, five-axis domestic-brand CNC systems have historically remained largely confined to specialized, high-value applications rather than widespread civilian use. Fortunately, in recent years, breakthroughs in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems have empowered numerous domestic CNC manufacturers to introduce affordable, competitive five-axis domestic-brand CNC systems. This technological advancement has not only broken through longstanding foreign technology barriers but has also dramatically reduced the overall cost of implementation, paving the way for a transformative new era in China’s equipment manufacturing industry! Driven by the rapid evolution of modern science, particularly information technology, the equipment manufacturing sector continues to receive powerful momentum while simultaneously facing increasingly stringent demands. This underscores the foundational role of mechanical equipment manufacturing as a vital platform for advancing high-tech industrialization, driving technological progress, and facilitating comprehensive industrial upgrades across society. As a dynamic force propelling both national economic growth and technological innovation, the mechanical equipment manufacturing industry—including its cutting-edge developments like five-axis domestic-brand CNC systems—will continue to thrive alongside emerging high-tech and innovative industries.

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