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 they suitable for processing?

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

Four-axis CNC machining: Add a rotation axis to the three axes, generally 360° rotation on the horizontal plane. But it cannot rotate at high speed. Suitable for processing some box parts.

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

Although the advantages of five-axis compared with four-axis and three-axis are very prominent, not all products are suitable for five-axis processing, and those suitable for three-axis processing are not necessarily suitable for five-axis processing. If you use products that can be processed by three-axis Five-axis machining will not only increase the cost, but the effect is not necessarily good. Only by making reasonable arrangements and formulating suitable machine tools for the product can the value of the machine itself be brought into play.