Features of 4 Axis CNC Milling Machine
- Adding an additional rotating axis to increase machining range;
- Processing capability comparable to five-axis, but more economical;
- 4 axis CNC milling machine supports to rotate workpieces, avoiding repeat positioning errors;
- Especially suitable for complex surface machining;
- TSINFA 4 axis CNC milling machine obtains international certifications including CE and ISO9001:2015.
Advantages of 4 Axis CNC Milling Machine
The most core advantage of the 4 axis CNC milling machine is machining multiple faces by a single setup. Compared to traditional 3 axis milling machines, the additional axis offers unique advantages for the machining process.
The 4-axis CNC mill performs milling, boring, drilling, and tapping, while its added A-axis expands capabilities for complex shapes like arcs and helixes via optimized toolpaths.
With CNC control, the 4‑axis mill enables continuous, unattended production, saving time and speeding up machining. Its smart system adjusts to different workpieces, cutting multiple angles in one setup to boost efficiency.
The 4‑axis CNC machine finishes multiple faces in one setup, eliminating repositioning errors and deformation. The A‑axis keeps tools at optimal angles for high surface finish, while its rigid structure ensures stability. With precise control down to the micrometer, it maintains accuracy across every face.
The 4‑axis CNC mill handles diverse materials—plastic, wood, and metal—across various sizes. It performs multiple operations like profiling, indexing, and continuous cutting in one setup, reducing equipment needs and lowering operating costs.
What is 4 Axis CNC Milling Machine
The 4 axis CNC milling machine adds an additional rotating axis(A axis) based on the traditional three axis. The A axis makes the workpiece rotate around the X axis to complete the machining process, achieving multiple faces machining in a single setup. It is suitable for machining and drilling holes on the sides of workpieces or cylindrical surfaces. TSINFA 4 axis CNC milling machine provides more complex processing for you to enhance the production capacity.
Working Principle of 4 Axis CNC Milling Machine
According to the CNC system, the CAD or CAM design programs will be transferred to the 4 axis CNC milling machine, driving movement of the four axis. The machining process of the machine can be divided into indexing and simultaneous. The indexing type makes the workpiece fixed in a certain position driven by A axis, then machine it with 3 axis milling strategies. While the simultaneous type directly machines the workpiece in rotating condition, achieving processing of different angles. Both the two processes complete with one piece setup, reducing production cycle.
4 Axis CNC Milling Machine Applications
Aerospace
The 4 axis CNC milling machine is typically used to machine the structural parts, turbine blades, and engine components of aircrafts. These components are usually made of alloy materials with high strength, the 4 axis CNC milling machine offers strong cutting power to machine complex structure. The 4-axis machining can handle multiple angles at the same time, improving the cutting efficiency and surface finish. 4 axis CNC milling machines will provide a balance for the aircraft parts between precision and weight.
Automotive
Molds or aluminum alloy housings can be also produced by the 4 axis CNC milling machine, such as stamping dies, injection molds, and foam molds. The 4 axis CNC milling machine can achieve one piece forming of mold side walls, curved surfaces, and inclined holes according to the rotating axis. It can ensure the precision and surface finish of products. It is also used to machine complex components including engines, transmissions, and brake systems.
Medical Industry
In the medical industry, some medical implants such as artificial joints and dental implants can be machined by the 4 axis CNC milling machine. It is suitable for precise machining of small size components, ensuring high surface finish. For the surgical instruments and dental tools, the 4 axis CNC milling machine will provide a high precision level to meet the strict demands of the medical industry.
Energy Equipment
Pump bodies, valve seats, rotors, and other components of the energy or industrial equipment generally have complex structures. The 4 axis CNC milling machine allows multiple angle and complex structure machining, such as helical grooves, annular surfaces, and inclined holes. Additionally, its high rigidity performance and powerful spindle offers high cutting power to handle heavy and large workpieces.
How to Select 4 Axis CNC Milling Machine
When selecting the 4 axis CNC milling machine, you should consider if the performance of the machine can meet actual production requirements. This not only needs comprehensive analysis of the machine’s key parameters, but also demands you make the decision based on the actual situation. The following are common factors for your reference:
- Spindle: The performance of the spindle determines material types that the machine can handle. In general, light materials such as aluminum, plastic, or other composite materials require high rotation speed(12,000- 24,000 rpm) to achieve high surface finish. While steel and titanium alloys with high strength focus more on the torque. The spindle with high torque will provide a powerful cutting function for you.
- Load Capacity: The worktable of the 4 axis milling machine can be customized to meet the processing requirements of different sized workpieces. You can choose a suitable machine based on the dimension and weight of workpieces, ensuring that the machine can withstand the load of workpieces.
- Control System: Common control systems include Fanuc, Siemens, and Mitsubishi. You can select the control system based on the compatibility of programming softwares and familiarity of your engineers. Fanuc systems have high stability to be used in batch production. While Siemens systems offer advantages on multi-axis coordination and complex tool paths.
- Automatic Tool Changer System: The 4 axis CNC milling machine is typically equipped with an automatic tool changer to improve the machining efficiency. When you choose the machine, tools capacity should also be considered.
- Cooling and Chip Removal System: If your project requires long term or high frequency machining, a suitable cooling and chip removal system can help the machine keep stable condition and reduce failures. It enables expelling the cutting chips to ensure precision, and avoiding overheating issues.
- Workpiece Requirement: Beyond the key parameters of the 4 axis CNC milling machine, you should also consider the actual workpieces types and complexity. If your project mainly involves polyhedrons, curved surfaces, or helical components, the 4 axis can meet the demands. If you just machine flat parts, the 3 axis offers better economic efficiency.
- After-sale Service: It is important to choose the supplier or brand with a long warranty to ensure the quality and reliability of the machine. Once the machine is damaged or fails, they can respond and solve the issue in time, reducing production loss caused by downtime.
No. The standard tools of 3 axis milling machines are also suitable for the 4 axis. If you want higher surface finish and machining efficiency, you can choose the tools with curved cutting edges to improve the surface finish and precision. Tool holders with high quality can also maintain the balance and stability of the machining process.
With a ballbar, you can test the dynamic roundness to check the precision of the machine. Or you can use a laser interferometer to detect the rotation errors. The CNC system of the 4 axis milling machine also supports flexible automatic compensation to minimize the tiny deviations.
For the indexing type, it is simple to program like a 3 axis milling machine. While the simultaneous type requires longer time to program. But if the program is verified to be suitable for the workpiece, it can be used for the entire production process. This programming process does not take much time, generating minimal effect to the entire efficiency.
