5 Face Machining Centers Guide

When it comes to 5 face machining, people always associate this idea with a 5-axis machining center because these two are the same. Unlike a 5 axis vertical machining center, a 5 face machining center is not equipped with a 5-axis as a prerequisite, but this does not prevent from becoming a popular machine model that can handle multiple millings and even drilling. Drilling operations are performed on many workstations designed with multiple APC (Automatic Pallet Changer) equipment.

Versatile As Usual

The concept of 5 face machining center which means machining centers allowing machining from 5 face directions, originates from the traditional 4-axis machining center of the 20th century, especially for automobile production lines. The design of the engine housing, cylinder housing, joint parts, and other components is a work made from a single part. The derivative products of this specific type of machine tool bring users a better price and a reasonable cost. Therefore the 5 face machining center is developing rapidly in the industry. The vertical 5 face machining center is widely used in 3c consumables and other precision industries, aerospace departments, and medical equipment, and has made extensive contributions to industrial and commercial value. 


Compared with the 5 Axis Counterparts

The concept of a machining center is derived from a milling machine, or a specially programmed CNC milling machine. In other words, there is a fuzzy line between whether the milling-based machinery is a machining center or just a milling machine. To explain this in a simple way, there are many milling-based cutting machines. A conventional manual milling machine has one end at the other end, and a multi-axis machining center with automation system equipment at the other end. Traditional machining centers are designed with at least three axes, namely x, y, and z. For vertical and horizontal models, anyone can be equipped with other axes to make a 5 axis machining center. As an important variable table, the x axis, y axis and z axis can be designed with two other axes on the rotary table. They can be moved to two new working sizes and also realize a possible cutting process at multiple angles.

People may wonder how to distinguish them? In all classifications of machining center models, there are three main types of construction frames that make up a five-axis machine center. First, they are the swing head type. It is a type that can realize up to 5-axis machining, such as angle machining. This type of machine and other 5-axis components, such as a four plus one model or three plus two model machining center, are considered convenient, and the latter two machining center models have more practical advantages with the existing three axis arrangement. Therefore, in terms of the existing three-axis arrangement, the machining center is designed to have at least three axes, namely, x, y, and z axes. For both vertical and horizontal models, they can be equipped with other axes to make a 5 axis machine.

Program control can guarantee a better route and better processing. Machining centers plus 5 face feature means that the cutting can be from five directions. Route planning becomes more and more complicated, and accelerates the application of computer-controlled cutting with a physical mechanical structure. Along with these parameters, the CNC system can make full use of the machining centers with 5 face machining. Japanese brands include Fanuc and Mitsubishi, and German brands include Siemens and Heidenhain. Taiwan is one of the world's major machine tool manufacturing bases and now also has its own controller supplier. With the self-developed controller, many technical issues can be further utilized by suppliers.


5 Faces and 5 Axes: Milling

When it comes to milling capabilities of a 5 face machining center, it is the process of using a spinning tool to remove workpiece material by advancing the tool into one or more workpieces. This processing method can be done in different directions. In the field of metal processing, the milling process of the 5 face machining center covers a variety of different operations, ranging from a single tiny part to heavy and large-scale milling operations. The 5 axis double column plus 5 axis function installed on the double column structure is one of the very practical solutions to solve the problem of processing vibration while improving accuracy. Double column machining centers are usually divided into two types: fixed columns or moving columns.

To be specific, the former is a design that both columns stay in a position where they cannot move. The latter allows another axis to be born, and greatly improves the convenience of processing. The 5 face machining centre which is machining centers having 5 face processing capability, is a highly developed multi face machining centre that can handle a variety of machining tasks. After development of 5 axis and 5 face processing, the development of machining centers with 5 face capability is progressing well in the industry. The machine center has been widely used in various industries and has contributed to a variety of industrial applications.

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