| When it comes to CNC machining, things can become | | | | either the machining industry would not be where it is |
| a little bit confusing. Most CNC machines operate on 3 | | | | today. CNC machining is a large part of the |
| axes and those are referred to as X, Y, and Z. Some | | | | automotive industry, the aerospace industry, and |
| of the CNC machines implement a 5-axis form of | | | | others. These machines offer engineers and |
| movement where there are 2 more axes that are | | | | machinists the ability to create anything needed to |
| used. Each axis represents a different motion that | | | | make the world operate efficiently. |
| can be done. For example: side-to-side motion, | | | | Having different axes to work with, machinists can |
| up-and-down motion, etc. This is why CNC machines | | | | create parts with precision and high tolerances. |
| are capable of performing almost any type of motion | | | | Precise angles and precise cuts can be created within |
| because of the combination of the axes that are | | | | 1 to 100 microns, in most cases. It can't get much |
| used. | | | | better than that. No longer do machinists have to |
| As mentioned previously, different axes offer | | | | turn cranks and handles and manually operate these |
| different motions. With the Z axis, depth comes into | | | | machines. The software programs control pretty |
| play. How deep will the machine cut, especially when | | | | much everything that has to do with the machine. |
| formulating designs? Something has to allow the | | | | The computer software programs have to be |
| machine to make the turns, the angles, and so forth. | | | | written by the programmers to incorporate the |
| The robotic arm allows the machine to do this. | | | | different axes. This means that the programmer has |
| The different axes will allow the machine to do | | | | to tell each axis what to do in the program. On a |
| different things. The more axes that the machine | | | | five-axis CNC machine, one does not have to use all |
| operates on, the more creative you can be. The | | | | of the axes. The programmer can write the program |
| more diverse the parts or projects can become. With | | | | to use the three basic axes and that's all. The |
| the five axis machines, pretty much anything that | | | | programmer specifically writes the program to tell the |
| anyone can dream up, can be created. You can even | | | | X axis its job, the Y axis its job, the Z axis its job, |
| sculpt a model of a human head. | | | | and so on. If one axis is accidently left out, that axis |
| Computer numerical controlled technology combined | | | | will not work. |
| with robotic technology is a wonderful thing. Without | | | | |