World-Class Precision 5 Axis Machining

5-Axis Machining Company

Ultrasophisticated Machining Capability Provides Time and Money Savings

Trace-A-Matic conquers complex part manufacturing with state-of-the-art 5-axis CNC machining, backed by decades of experience and unmatched creativity. The 5-axis platform cuts part geometry and complex shapes unachievable by other machining methods due to additional axes and the exceptional mobility of workpiece to tool rotational axes. This enhanced 6-sided machining capability increases accuracy by combining several standalone operations, significantly reducing part handling and multiple clamping phases during the process. The spindle head operates closer to the workpiece, allowing shorter cutting tools with less vibration and deflection, higher cutting speeds, tighter tool moves, and improved surface finishing capability.

Cost savings is another huge benefit of 5-axis technology. Consolidating 3-axis machining and other linear axes operations into a single setup increases production throughput while reducing cycle time, costly work fixtures, and overall waste. It provides a more efficient and economical solution with faster lead time and production turnaround with outstanding quality than horizontal and vertical machine technology alone.

Whether you seek cost reduction, complex parts machining, parts that require extreme tolerances, or all, Trace-A-Matic is your world-class precision 5-axis machine shop!

5-Axis Machining Video

5-Axis Machining Service Video

Watch a video highlighting our 5-Axis machining services.

Machining Capabilities Summary

Part Types:
Impellers, turbines, eccentric axis, multifaceted, irregular, convex, and concave parts

Part Size (work envelope):
27.5” x 120”

Metal Types:
All standard metals, aluminum, armor plate, brass, bronze, chromium, copper, gammalloy, Hastelloy, Incoloy, Inconel, Invar, manganese, Monel, nickel, Nitralloy, powdered metals, stainless steel, Stellite, titanium, Waspaloy, and a wide range of superalloys

Material Types:
Castings, forgings, fabricated weldments, billets, and bar stock

5-Axis Processes:
Boring, broaching, counterboring, countersinking, cutting, drilling, facing, gear hobbing, internal forming, knurling, milling, parting, pocketing, profiling, reaming, spline, tapping, threading (external, internal), turning (contour, form, taper, straight), and thread milling

Industries Served:
Aerospace, Defense, Food Processing, Heavy Equipment, Medical Equipment, Military, Mining, Oil and Gas, Power Generation, and Transportation

Machine Brands:
DMG Mori and Mazak - Please refer to our Equipment List for specific 5-axis information and capabilities.

5-Axis CNC Machine Overview

A 5-axis machining center has a variable speed tool spindle head with a multidirectional rotary axes orientation. Raw material clamps into an indexing chuck or to a table. The spindle head assembly moves along the travel columns in unison with the chuck or index table to precisely maneuver the workpiece and the cutting tool to achieve the proper tool path required for removing material. 5-axis machines offer single setups, infinite geometry cutting, excellent chip management, longer tool life, repeatable manufacturing, and the speed of simultaneous 5-axis high precision machining. Like standard milling and turning types of machines, this is a subtractive manufacturing process.

Photo of 5-Axis Machining and Workpiece

5-Axis Machine Anatomy

  1. Rotary Spindle Head - Variable speed spindle holds rotating cutting tool which travels on the Y-axis (front to back) and spins on the B-axis
  2. Cutting Tool - Machine tools cut material from the workpiece to form a part - subtractive manufacturing
  3. Traveling Columns - The Z-axis (left to right) and X-axis (top to bottom) columns the rotary spindle head and tooling travel upon
  4. Main Spindle - Main chuck holding workpiece which rotates on the C-axis up to 2,500 RPMs and able to travel on Z-axis
  5. Sub-Spindle - Secondary chuck holding workpiece which revolves on the C-axis up to 2,500 RPMs and able to move on Z-axis
  6. CNC Control Panel - The interface a machinist uses to program and control how a computer numerical control machine operates

Photo of 5-Axis Machining Center

5-Axis Machining Benefits

  • Highly Engineered and Complex Part Machining
  • Create Complex Part Geometry in One Operation
  • Increased Part Accuracy
  • Reduced Part Handling, Setups, and Fewer Machines Used
  • Producing Parts Complete on Demand
  • Reduction of Costly Workpiece Fixtures and Tooling Redundancy
  • Less Ancillary Equipment Needed – Gages and Tools
  • Conducive to Unattended Operations – Single Point Load / Unload
  • Improved Traceability and Documentation – Done-in-One
  • Go All the Way – Hobbing, Gear Cutting, and Skiving
  • Design for Manufacture

Design for Manufacture

  • Collaborate to design components mechanically or ergonomically more efficiently.
  • Typically built-in geometrical inconsistencies or errors caused by multiple operations (such as allowance for mismatch) are no longer needed providing faster, more straightforward programs and more accurate parts.
  • Quicker product development and to market – Test designs and alter them quickly and easily.
  • Engineers can improve the component design such as an integral gear or spline without manufacturing restrictions due to the machine tool’s kinematics and capability.

5-Axis Photo Gallery

Aluminum Machined Impellers

Tilt/Rotary Table

Aerospace Actuators

Intricate Machining

Planetary Carrier Components

5-Axis CNC Programming

Aluminum Sprocket

Threaded Support

Actuator Body

Aluminum Pump Body

Piston Assemblies

Complex Part Machining

5-Axis Mazak HCR-5000

5-Axis Machining Automation

Mazak HCR-5000

  • Complex Part Machining
    • Optimized for Aluminum Component
    • Up to 28.74” x 28.74”
  • 18 Pallet Automation System
    • Queued Operations for 18 Jobs
    • Minimizes Non-Cut Time
    • Improves Overall Process Efficiency
  • High-Efficiency Cooling System
    • Reduces Thermal Growth
    • Provides Higher Part Accuracy
  • High Accuracy and Efficiency

5-Axis Mazak INTEGREX i-400

5-Axis Multi-Task Machining

Mazak INTEGREX i-400 (3 Units)

  • Complex Part Machining
    • High Precision and Throughput
    • to 60” x 25.9” (12” Chuck)
  • High Part Accuracy
    • Elimination of Multiple Setups
    • Reduced Part Handling
  • Efficiency Reduction
    • Lead-Time
    • Fixtures
    • Tooling
    • Non-Cut Time

5-Axis DMG Mori CTX

6-Sided Complete Machining

DMG Mori CTX TC (4 Units)

  • Complex Part Machining
    • High Precision and Throughput
    • Up to 120.1” x 27.5” (19.7” chuck)
  • Machining Versatility
    • Fully Prismatic Parts From Raw Material
    • High-Powered Turning Center
    • Full 5-Axis Capability
  • High Part Accuracy
    • Elimination of Multiple Setups
    • Reduced Part Handling

Other CNC machining services offered: 5-Axis Machining, Multi-Axis Machining, 4-Axis Machining, 3-Axis Machining, Horizontal Milling, Vertical Milling, Horizontal Turning, Vertical Turning, CNC Engineering, CNC Inspection, and Special Machining Process

All product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact Trace-A-Matic today about our CNC machining services or request a quote for your next project!