company news about Three-axis machining vs. four-axis machining: What's the difference? When to use?

Three-axis machining and four-axis machining are two common methods in CNC numerical control machining. The biggest difference between them lies in the number of dimensions in which the workpiece moves during processing. Three-axis machining refers to the movement of the tool in the X, Y, and Z directions, which is suitable for planar processing and simple geometric shape parts, such as shells, plates, and mold parts. Four-axis machining, on the other hand, adds a rotational axis (usually the A-axis) on this basis, allowing the workpiece to rotate during processing, and is suitable for complex parts such as side holes and inclined surfaces.

When to use?
When the part structure is relatively simple and the machined surfaces are mainly concentrated on one plane, three-axis machining offers better cost performance. However, when the workpiece has multiple sides, requires continuous machining from multiple angles, or has complex structures such as helical surfaces, four-axis machining is more efficient and precise. It can reduce the number of clamping operations, improve machining consistency and efficiency. The choice between the two depends on a comprehensive judgment based on the complexity of the workpiece, precision requirements, and machining efficiency.