More and more manufacturers across the globe are choosing CNC precision machining as their preferred method of production, owing to the amazing precision and the fast production cycle associated with it. In actuality, the market share of CNC machining is growing with a massive 3.8% CAGR from 2022 to 2028. This growth coincides with a lot of technological advances during the period, which features a lot of automation compared to the older production methods.
The key to implementing CNC precision machining is five-axis CNC machining tools. These tools will enhance the overall accuracy and efficiency of your manufacturing process, earning you even more revenue from your contracts.
What are Five-Axis CNC Machining Tools?
Five-axis machining tools are machining tools with a range of movements that encompasses five different axes: The traditional x, y, z axes, and the rotational A and B axes. The A axis refers to rotational movements on the x axis, while B refers to the same movements on the y axis. These multi-axial movements enable the manufacturers to create highly complex parts that require precision down to the millimeter.
Five-axis CNC machining tools are also surprisingly quite easy to use, eliminating the need for experts. These tools are highly automated, so you simply need to provide the design as well as the materials for them to start creating high-quality products or machine parts.
Comparing Five-Axis CNC Machining Tools with Traditional Machining Tools
The key to understanding why five-axis CNC machining tools are superior is to compare them with traditional machining tools. Traditional machining tools, which are still widely used by various manufacturers across the globe, enable only movements on three primary axes, x, y, and z. This means that the parts will not be rotated while they are being worked on, limiting the capability of the CNC machining facility.
Furthermore, with a traditional three-axis machining tool, you will need an expert on the field to rotate the parts whenever necessary. You cannot automate these tools, even with high proficiency. As a result, you will not be able to fully automate the entire production line, hurting your digital transformation as well as your revenue.
It should also be noted that five-axis CNC machining tools are quite easy to use, unlike traditional machining tools. Featuring easy integration with the latest technological applications, these tools ensure that everyone can use them with ease, enabling you to easily fulfill any order. Meanwhile, you will need some training before you can control the traditional machining tools proficiently.
Integration with CAD and CAM Software
A growing number of companies are presenting new five-axis machining tools with native CAD/CAM software integration. This integration is crucial for a precise and efficient production process in your company. With CAD/CAM integration, on-site engineers can run the tools without needing help from another department. Furthermore, this integration will help the tools to align the materials in the correct order or the correct points, greatly increasing its capabilities.
Common Challenges Faced by Manufacturers While Implementing Five-Axis Machining Tools
Even though five-axis machining tools offer not just high accuracy as well as efficiency, manufacturers will still have to take care when implementing them, as there are still some significant challenges that hamper the integration process.
Staff Training
Five-axis machining tools are generally not very difficult to operate, but you will have to provide staff training to your team members beforehand. This can be quite a challenge, especially if you are not able to connect with the right expert, who should possess not just the technical knowledge about the tools but also the communicative flair to disseminate such knowledge.
Complicate Designs
Five-axis machining tools are well-equipped to handle complicated designs, but that also means coming up with such designs will be a challenge for you. The more intricate and complicated the design, the more you have to be careful when designing it. If a single part does not match with another due to design error, it may lead to a structural failure. For example, a car may fail to start because some parts are badly designed. This is why it is crucial to get the experts to help you handle complicated designs for five-axis machining tools.
Initial Costs
Five-axis machining tools are among the latest advancements in industrial manufacturing, so the costs to acquire these machines can be quite high. For startups, these costs, along with the maintenance costs, will be a tough challenge. For this reason, it is generally a good idea to establish a strong capital and knowledge base first before venturing into this area. The costs will be considerably offset by the sheer amount of revenue you can get by manufacturing high-quality complex parts.
Industries for Five-Axis Machining Tools
With the capability to work with complex parts and a high level of automation, five-axis machining tools are the perfect choice for the automotive industry, aircraft industry, and construction industry. These industries present strict standards that five-axis machining tools can easily handle, allowing you to fully reap the benefits of your production line.
Art Tangent: Your Partner in Machining
At Art Tangent, we are always ready to leverage our 20 years’ worth of experience to help you kickstart your production line and stay ahead of competitors. Our experts provide consultation as well as the best machining mold as well as machined parts to help you get started. Contact us now for more information!
With amazing precision and automation, five-axis CNC machining tools will be the top choice for businesses that aim to produce complex parts. However, if you are going to step into this area, you will need substantial initial setups before you can fully gain all the benefits it offers.
Reference:
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cnc-market-195192631.html