The secret of 4-axis milling
4 Axis Milling-This cut includes the above axis plus 1 rotary axis motion. There are two possibilities-4 axis simultaneous interpolation (also known as true 4th axis) or only 4th axis positioning, where 4th axis can reposition parts between 3 axis operations, but does not actually mobile. It is one of the most popular milling options because it allows more detailed cutting than 3 axes. However, in recent years, more advanced five-axis milling technology has surpassed its capabilities.
The 4-axis machining is an interesting and important sub-part of the CNC milling world. This article aims to help beginners understand how and why 4-axis is used on CNC milling machines. We will learn about the purpose of the 4th axis and how they work. If you are new to CNC, your first impression may be that the 4th axis is used in the same way as the rotary table is used for manual processing. Although this idea makes sense, it is largely incorrect. Most of the 4th axis work of manual machining is about cutting features along an arc, which is difficult to do on manual machines. With CNC, cutting along a circular arc is easy. In some cases, we use the 4th axis for continuous machining-in other words, we want the tool to process while the 4th axis is rotating. However, there are many other applications. Let's take a look at the main categories.
4-axis machining indexing access
The first thing to discuss is the term "indexing." The fourth axis is usually used in "indexing" mode or "continuous" mode. During indexing, cutting is not performed until the 4th axis has stopped (and is usually locked with some kind of brake). In fact, some types are called "indexers" and they can only be used to index in fixed degree increments, and cannot be rotated continuously to any desired position. In contrast, "continuous" means machining while the part is rotating. For example, a cam lobe is generated.
You may be wondering why you want everything but continuous processing, but bear with it-there are many useful ways to take advantage of indexes. In addition, you will need more advanced CAM software to program continuous machining. It's very powerful, but it can do a lot of work (maybe even most of the 4th axis) with just the index.
Machining the 4-axis gear
The 4-axis indexes each tooth to the proper position, stops, and then the cutter moves back and forth until the gear is complete. They indexed the next tooth.
Gears are an extreme case because if we can't index our teeth, it's hard to imagine how to make them. However, indexes are also useful in many simpler cases. Suppose you have a part like a throttle body that has holes on all sides. You can build fixtures and make a bunch of settings, one on each side. Alternatively, you can use the 4th axis to index the sides so that multiple axes can be machined in one installation.
4-axis indexing for more parts
They say that horizontal machining centers are much more productive than vertical machining centers. One reason is that the chips are easier to hold on a level surface, because gravity helps instead of pushing them further into the more difficult holes.
4-axis machining index
The 4 axes are usually used for indexing or in a continuous manner. When used for indexing, do not cut until 4 will stop on the second axis and lock with some kind of brake. Some 4th axes are called indexers, and they are used to index in fixed degree increments. When 4 axes are used consecutively, however, these 4 axes will take rotary cutting as the occurrence.
4-axis packaging
A special case that should be mentioned in four-axis processing is the four-axis packaging processing commonly referred to as packaging in the CNC. This special process can be used to sculpt text on the side of a cylinder, which is a good example of packaging in the CNC. Attempting to wrap text around a cylinder that works without the 4th axis is not possible, and text will not wrap around the cylinder correctly. Here, the fourth axis convinces the machine that it is actually sculpted on a plane, and in fact, it is sculpted on a rotating cylinder, which provides excellent results and smoothness, using only 3 axes Or 3 axes is difficult to complete. It is indeed processed by hand.
A 4-axis machine tool is a powerful machine that not only simplifies existing work, but also enables new and improved technologies. 4-axis machining requires fewer setups than 3-axis machines and allows the CNC machining shop to work faster and more efficiently than ever.