5 Axis CNC Machining Services

5-axis machining moves the cutting tool in three linear directions and rotates the tool or the workpiece around two additional axes — at the same time. Instead of stopping to re-clamp the part for each new face, the machine re-orients the geometry, so the cutter can reach five sides of the workpiece in a single setup.

The practical result: complex geometry with undercuts and curved surfaces can be produced in one operation, with one datum controlling the relationship between every feature.

3-axis machines move the tool in X, Y and Z only. Any feature on the side of the part needs a new setup. 4-axis machines add rotation around one axis — the usual answer for parts that are turned as well as milled, or for a series of faces around a cylinder. 5-axis machines add a second rotary axis, so the tool can approach the part from almost any angle, either indexed (3+2) or continuously.

More axes are not automatically better: they cost more per hour. We quote the process the geometry actually needs, and for flat prismatic parts that is often 3-axis or 3+2.

If every face is flat and reachable while the rotary axes are locked, 3+2 is the faster and cheaper route: the machine cuts as rigidly as a 3-axis mill but reaches five faces without manual re-fixturing.

Simultaneous 5-axis is the right choice when the surface itself is free-form — impellers, blades, organic housings — or when the tool has to stay normal to a curved surface to avoid witness lines and long manual polishing. Send us the STEP file and we will tell you which of the two we would program.

Our 5-axis work is held to ±0.005 mm / ±0.0002 in — on the features you call out and on the dimensions the drawing leaves open. Holding that tolerance takes slower passes, specialized tooling and more inspection than general machining, which is why tight-tolerance work is quoted per part rather than assumed.

As-machined surfaces are typically Ra 1.6–3.2 μm. High-quality finishing reaches Ra 0.8–1.6 μm and fine finishing Ra 0.2–0.8 μm; a mirror finish is added as a post-process rather than cut on the machine.

Maximum processing size is 4,000 mm. On our large-format 5-axis centers the working envelope is 4,000 × 400 × 150 mm; medium-format machines run 750 × 1,150 × 550 mm and 600 × 600 × 600 mm; compact machines cover 500 × 500 × 450 mm and 500 × 310 × 200 mm, with a Ø400 mm rotary table for single-setup multi-face work.

If your part is close to or beyond an envelope, send the bounding box and we will confirm the machine and the fixturing before quoting.

Aluminium (6061, 2024, 5052, 5083, 6063, 6082, 7075, ADC12), stainless steel (303, 304, 316, 316L, 420, 430, 431, 440C, 17-4PH), carbon and alloy steels (1018, 1045, 4130, 4140, 4340, A36, tool steel), copper and brass grades, magnesium alloys, titanium (TA1, TA2, TC4 / Ti-6Al-4V), Inconel, and engineering plastics including POM, PEEK, PA, PC, PMMA, ABS and carbon fibre.

Finishing follows the same order: anodizing, hard anodizing, plating, powder coating, black oxide, bead blasting, brushing, polishing and laser marking.

Upload your 3D model (STEP, STP, IGS, IGES, STL, X_T) and a 2D drawing (DWG, DXF, PDF) through the online quotation form. You get pricing and a free DFM analysis back within 12 hours, and production can start within 24 hours of approval — parts typically ship in 3–5 days.

All uploads are treated as confidential; an NDA can be signed on request. Tell us the target lead time in the enquiry and we will confirm the schedule before the order is released.

Yes — there is no minimum order quantity. A single 5-axis prototype runs on the same equipment as a 10,000+ part production order, with the same engineering review, inspection and documentation available.

Prototypes are usually quoted as machined-only to keep the cost down; when the design stabilises we can add finishing, marking and packaging for the production release.