What is the difference between 3-axis, 4-axis and 5-axis in CNC machining?

What is the difference between 3-axis, 4-axis and 5-axis in CNC machining? What are their advantages? Which products are suitable for processing?

Three-axis CNC machining: generally refers to three axes that move linearly in different directions, such as up and down, back and forth, and left and right. The three-axis can only process one surface at a time, which is suitable for processing some disk parts.

Four-axis CNC machining: add a rotation axis to the three-axis, generally 360° rotation on the horizontal plane. It cannot rotate at high speed. It is suitable for processing some box parts.

Five-axis CNC machining: there is one more rotation axis on the four-axis, generally 360° rotation on the upright surface. The five-axis can already be fully processed. One-time clamping can be achieved, which can reduce clamping costs and reduce product scratches and bruises. It is suitable for processing some multi-station pores and planes, parts with high processing accuracy requirements, especially parts with strict shape processing accuracy requirements.

Although the advantages of five-axis compared to four-axis and three-axis are very outstanding, not all products are suitable for five-axis processing, and those that are suitable for three-axis processing are not necessarily suitable for five-axis processing. Five-axis machining will not only increase the cost, but the effect is not necessarily good. Only by making reasonable arrangements and developing suitable machine tools for products can the value of the machine itself be realized.