High Precision and High-Quality 4 Axis CNC Machining Services
We can achieve high precision in machining your parts with +20 years of specialization in 4 Axis CNC machining. We can achieve greater consistency for parts with outstanding versatility and fast, efficient, and reliable production.
DEK is known for the production of highly complicated precision parts with the highest quality standards, reproducibility, and safety in mind.
Fast, Efficient 4 Axis CNC Machining as an Ideal Solution for Projects Requiring Tighter Tolerances
DEK has always been at the forefront of cost-effective 4-axis CNC machining services. Technologically enhanced 4-axis CNC machining has given us a powerful new capability to undertake your more complex machining contracts anywhere in the world.
For years now, DEK has offered convenient, accurate, and fast machining with saving massive costs and time for customers in different industries.
Extend The Quality, Performance, And Service Life Of Your Parts In 4-Axis CNC Machining
As experienced engineering professionals, our staff, with the help of precision machining, can achieve exceptional results that can extend the quality, performance, and service life of your parts. You can get a better machining accuracy than ever and can save both time and money.
DEK’s global responsiveness and decades of expertise can help achieve a cost-effective solution-focused approach for your parts machining.
Aluminum is one of the most common materials for 4-axis CNC machining because it offers excellent durability, machinability, low cost, and low weight for a variety of parts in a variety of modern and technical industries.
Titanium has many advantages, mostly for medical industries to machine complicated parts with complex designs. These parts have to be strong, adaptable, consistent, and not interfere with the human immune system.
It is scratch-resistant plastic available in optically clear and opaque. DEK uses acrylic mostly for optical applications, and it is not recommended for complex geometries. With acrylic, higher machining speeds are possible.
DEK prefer PEEK as one of the primary 4-axis CNC material because of its high-temperature engineering thermoplastics that maintain excellent impact, tensile, and flexural characteristics. PEEK materials are ideal for applications that require excellent thermal, chemical, and combustion properties to perform incredibly.
Stainless steel is one of the best materials for 4-axis CNC machining because it is having excellent machinability, workability, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and uniformity. Its high ductility and formability can meet the specification requirements of any project.
Engineering applications require copper parts because of their rich corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity properties. DEK’s selection of industrial-grade copper for your 4-axis machined parts can result in precision machined parts.
Working with market leaders in the On-demand manufacturing industry, without the busyness and risk.
Rich Experience
At DEK, our engineers with rich and deep experience from many complex CNC machining projects can handle complex and precision parts in several industries without facing any problem.
Advanced Equipment
Our state-of-the-art 4 axis CNC machining equipment can achieve any results you required for your parts. Our technologically enhanced equipment will machine your parts in a cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality.
Fast Turnaround
Our 24/7 service and experienced staff will answer your question and return quotes within 24 hours. Our rapid manufacturing enables us to process your order within a week.
Cost-Effective
We offer ease to our customers by maintaining competitive costs by adopting the latest CNC technologies. DEK never compromises on quality and produces your components efficiently.
Exceptional Quality
DEK will facilitate you with quality-minded professionals required to achieve a top-level quality of your parts. Your complete satisfaction is our goal, and we achieve it by producing top-quality parts.
High Manufacturing Accuracy
Our 4-axis CNC machining can reach +/-0.01mm accuracy, and our reputation is built on over 20 years of continuous excellent service and offering unbelievable parts accuracy to our customers.
Quality is our top priority
“QUALITY COMES NOT FROM INSPECTION, BUT FROM IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS.”
To DEK, Dr. Deming’s textbook remark is not a theory, but a practice we have been conducting every single day. We work on the principle that quality comes during the process of manufacturing, not after the fact.
We use advanced production technologies and strict control systems to ensure high quality. More importantly, the quality-oriented attitude has been so entrenched in the mind of every single employee.
Through the online form or send an email to austin@dekmake.com directly, and please describe your requirements in detail and attach 2D/3D drawings, then you will get our reply within 6 hours.
Yes! Other suppliers are afraid of precision parts, but we like precision parts very much. This is because we have rich experience in the production of precision mold components, the tolerance we did can reach ±0.001mm, which is impossible for 99.9% of prototype manufacturers.
Definitely! Our predecessor is precision machining shop, and 100% inspection of each part is our daily basic work. We will check the size, tolerance, color, and other details before leaving the factory. If you need an inspection report, we will send it with goods together.
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It's our honor to be their best partner
"DEK never disappointed me. I sent them extremely challenging and high-tolerance CNC part designs with incredibly small details. They blow me away by the level of quality and accuracy they offered in return. I won't hesitate to recommend DEK."
Mark Peterson
"Choosing DEK was one of the best decisions I ever made. They came back with a lead time, price, and suggestions to improve the performance and quality of my parts. Their rich experience is what working with a top-level machine shop should be like."
Devin W
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If you need a professional business partner to provide you high quality, cost-effective, timely, and risk-free manufacturing services, we are the first step towards success.
4 Axis CNC Machining Services – The Ultimate FAQ Article
4-axis CNC machining is more recognizable than any other manufacturing technology because of its unique problem-solving design capabilities.
It is a digital manufacturing technology that is highly beneficial for your parts machining.
4-axis CNC is capable of machine parts while maintaining the high-accuracy with excellent physical properties.
In this FAQ guide, you will learn the way 4-axis CNC machining conquered the world of parts manufacturing in the most precise and cost-effective way possible.
Table of Contents
What is 4 axis CNC Machining?
4-axis process the workpiece in the same manner as 3-axis CNC machining.
However, it contains an additional axis (A-axis) to increase its efficiency and machining accuracy.
This additional A-axis allows the workpiece to be cut around the B axis.
The method of 4-axis CNC machining is beneficial when parts require machining contain holes or cuts. 4-axis CNC is multifunctional and can perform:
Engraving Curved Surfaces
Continuous Cutting
Intermittent Cutting
4-axis CNC precision machining mostly machine parts belong to medical, aerospace, optical, and mechanical applications.
The primary difference between 4-axis CNC machining and any other is the movement complexity of both the cutting tool and the workpiece.
More complexity in this movement can machine parts with complex geometries.
Most importantly, 4 axis CNC machining offers us the ability to handle parts with extremely complex profiles.
What are the Benefits of 4-Axis CNC Machining?
The modern and technologically-enhanced CNC machines tend to operate using 4-axis CNC machining.
In 4-axis CNC machining, the spindle travels along with three aces, up/down, side to side, and back/forth, while the workpiece remains stationary.
Top-tier manufacturers prefer 4-axis machining because it speeds up the production process and improves your part’s performance by maintaining exceptional quality.
It also offers incredible benefits, including an increase in accuracy, the potential to process more complex parts, and a reduced setup time.
Moreover, the following are the primary benefits of 4 axis CNC machining:
Fast machining
Easy setup
Slim chance of tool interference
Excellent surface finish
Better part access
Less toll wears
Higher accuracy
High-speed milling
High level of automation
High security
Multiple functions
Simple process
Automatic tool management
Achieve complexity in part designs
Faster part production time
4 axis CNC machining has the capability to create parts with greater dimensional accuracy. The standard achievable dimensional tolerances in 4-axis CNC are from ± 0.125 mm to ± 0.050 mm.
Its machined parts with excellent physical properties that make them ideal for technical applications where high-performance is essential.
Its quick turnaround times accelerate the production times.
What are the Applications of 4 Axis CNC machining?
4 axis CNC machining plays a crucial part in the machining of critical parts in many industries.
It is extremely useful in creating complex 3D shapes, molds with deep cavities, and machining on titled surfaces of the parts without compromising on precision.
One of the greatest things about 4 axis CNC machining is its coverage of a wide range of applications includes the following:
Space:4-axis CNC machining is one of the exceptional manufacturing processes suitable for machining parts for space applications. Because of the fact that the parts machined through 4-axis CNC have excellent accuracy and material properties.
Aerospace: It is one of the first industries to use 4-axis CNC machining due to its ability to machine lightweight parts with exceptional physical properties and very tight tolerances.
Automotive: In this field, 4-axis CNC plays a crucial part. It is highly effective because of the high-performance custom parts requirement of the automotive industry.
Product Design & Development: What makes 4-axis CNC machining an attractive option for machining precision parts is its ability to manufacture custom metal parts quickly and with great dimensional accuracy.
It is the most cost-efficient solution with the capability to machine custom metal parts with the required level of detail.
Electrical & Electronic Manufacturing: 4-axis CNC machining is perfect for the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry because of its ability to machine parts perfectly related to high-power electronic sensing systems and many more.
Industrial: 4-axis CNC is extremely important in tooling & industrial manufacturing to achieve the best parts machining results.
Sports: Sports businesses require products that can increase the performance of athletes. Improving the design of products by increasing the details can require the use of complex machining, and 4-axis CNC can be extremely productive.
4-axis CNC is useful in the sports industry because of its ability to achieve the intended level of quality and durability in parts.
For precision CNC machining, 4-axis is able to work accordingly to computer numerical inputs, which leads to quick and efficient machining.
What is the Difference Between 4-Axis CNC and 5-Axis CNC Machining?
The primary difference between 4-axis and 5-axis CNC machining is the number of axes available to machine precision parts.
However, there are other subtle differences between these two CNC machining techniques, which are the following:
The difference in Axes: 4 axis CNC machining features an extra axis known as A-axis. On the other hand, 5-axis CNC machining has two extra axes known as A-axis and B-axis or C-axis, depending on the configuration.
The Rotation in Axes: 4 axis CNC machining process parts by allowing rotation on the A-axis. While, 5-axis CNC machining process parts by allowing rotation on the two of the A-axis, B-axis, or C-axis depending on the configuration.
The Flexibility: The additional axis of 5-axis CNC machining is not localized. It means that its extra axis is not like the 4-axis CNC machining extra axis (localized) that always rotates on the X-axis. This extra unlocalized property of 5-axis CNC is an advantage that enhances its flexibility.
The Cost: Because of the high functionality and extended features of 5-axis CNC machining, it is more costly than 4-axis machining.
In general, 4-axis CNC machining is cost-effective and can perform tooling in more varied ways.
Due to the fact that it can eliminate the need for multiple setups, it eases the machining operations.
What Can 4 Axis CNC Machining Do for My Business?
What every growing industry has in common is their entrust in 4-axis CNC precision machining to manufacture perfect parts cost-effectively.
It is one of the very few solutions extremely important for the success of your business operations.
Parts manufacturing has changed a lot with time, thanks to 4-axis CNC machining because of its ability to:
Reduce production costs
Create faster lead times
Ensure better accuracy
Enhanced output
This level of capability and efficiency of 4 axis CNC machining means industries of all types favor utilizing it to achieve product designs.
Industries including architecture, oil and gas, construction, military, defense, and healthcare mostly depend on 4-axis CNC to achieve exceptional parts with greater quality.
How do 4-Axis CNC Machines Work?
The quality-enhanced 4 axis CNC machines are precision-engineered for high-quality performance and precision machining to achieve tighter tolerances.
They offer a high level of reliability, flexibility, configuration, and ease of use.
At DEK, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you decide whether 4-axis CNC machining is right for your parts.
We feature the best machines configured to output the best possible results in machining.
Generally, 4-axis CNC machines operate in the same way as 3-axis CNC machines, with an additional axis.
4-axis CNC is controlled perfectly to move the tool in complex paths. This technique of CNC machining is more desirable than any other because it eliminates extra setup time and human intervention.
In 4-axis CNC, visibility is introduced to solve the axis selection problem that increases the machining precision.
How Can 4 Axis CNC be Extremely Productive?
4-axis CNC machining can lead to higher productivity in all disciplines.
The unrivaled long tool life and reduced energy consumption of these machines critically reduce the dynamic costs of machining without sacrificing the quality.
The high performance and precision of 4-axis machining led to high speed; heavy cutting that has proven to be extremely beneficial for your business.
The standard 4-axis machines with an acceleration speed of 10 m/s² (power/speed) lead to shorter lead times.
Moreover, 4-axis CNC machining can handle parts with complex designs perfectly and can eliminate incorrect alignments.
With greater reach and flexibility, it can machine a vast library of unusual/complex geometries.
With its ability to cut the parts accurately and in the most efficient manners, 4-axis CNC machining features optimal cutting speed resulting in a higher quality of the finished part.
What is the Visibility in 4-Axis CNC Machining?
Visibility plays an important part in CNC machining to eliminate any axis selection problem.
Visibility defines if a surface patch on a component is visible, it means that the line of light can reach the surface patch without any obstacle.
The complete visibility of the surface patch can be defined as all the orientations that make the surface patch visible.
Moreover, the visibility of 4-axis CNC machining tells us what potential axes of rotation might be feasible for a given part.
The accessibility of the tool can be defined as its machinability to shape the scenario practically.
What are the Features of 4-Axis CNC Machines?
4-axis CNC machines offer exceptional precision machining and are designed to reduce cycle times with low maintenance requirements.
Its motor enables high volume production without reducing yield from the pre-cutting stock into short lengths.
The 4-axis CNC machines are extremely flexible because of their highly flexible mounting options.
Moreover, perfectly manufactured 4-axis CNC machines feature the following:
High quality, extremely rigid, and cost-efficient 4-axis CNC gearbox
No maintenance requirements and near-zero backlash
Eliminate any difficult configurations
Stock passage all the way through the chuck and out the back of the 4th axis
Repeatability and high precision for holding round/hex stock
High rotational speed helps to decrease the machining time
Lightweight and strong aluminum body
Why is 4-Axis CNC Preferred Over Other Machining Types?
4-axis CNC machining is preferred over other machining techniques and types because of its numerous advantages in modern industry.
The programming of 4-axis CNC machines is responsible for controlling every feature of these machines, such as:
Coordination
Location
Feed Rate
Speed
With the help of 4-axis CNC machining, we can control the tool’s positioning and velocity precisely to achieve exceptionally accurate results in parts manufacturing.
Most importantly, the following are five primary advantages of 4-axis CNC machining that makes it the best choice for various industries:
Increased Effectiveness of Production
Simplifies Work
High Precision
Flexible Processing
Easy to Set-up
Adopting new machining technology and understanding it can enhance the success of your business.
What are the Types of 4-Axis CNC Machining Centers?
4-axis CNC features multiple types of machining centers, and all of them have four axes.
The functionality, performance, and construction of each one is different and suitable for specific applications.
Based on the working mechanism of 4-axis CNC machining centers, its types are classified into the following categories:
Positional (3 + 1 Axis)
It’s an upgraded version of 3-axis CNC machining. Even it has a 4th axis, the machine functions in a similar way as 3-axis CNC machines.
The only difference between these two is that the positional 3+1 axis CNC machining can rotate the workpiece along with an additional axis known as X-axis.
Simultaneous (True 4 Axis)
It features all four axes together and enables us to achieve more complex details in parts. Moreover, it allows both tool and workpiece to move and rotate at the same time.
Based on the mechanism of the 4-axis CNC machining center, it can be further classified into the following categories:
4-Axis Vertical CNC Machining Centers: It enables the workpiece to be held parallel to the table and machining to be performed from the vertical direction.
4-Axis Horizontal CNC Machining Centers: It enables the workpiece to be held vertically, and machining is performed from the horizontal direction.
What is 4-Axis Vertical and Horizontal CNC Machining?
4-axis vertical CNC machining features vertical machining centers. It performs the machining vertically. However, the workpiece is held parallel to the table.
4-axis CNC machine works similar to a 3-axis vertical milling machine; additionally, it is equipped with a 4th axis.
Depending on its programming and controlling, 4-axis CNC machining support both simultaneous and positional 4-axis CNC machining.
On the other hand, 4-axis horizontal CNC machining features horizontal machining centers.
It processes the workpiece by holding it vertically and machining it horizontally. It is positional in nature and has the ability to process extremely complex parts.
What are the Limitations of the 4-Axis CNC?
4-axis CNC functions nearly similar to 3-axis CNC machining, but it is more productive and has the ability to output exceptional quality parts.
The “Geneva Mechanism” of 4-axis CNC machining is its biggest limitation. However, it is also quite responsible for its simplicity, reliability, and precision.
Furthermore, the following are some limitations of 4-axis CNC machining:
Quick tear/wear of the worm gear mechanism (during high-intensity use)
The backlash issue can disturb the accuracy or durability of the 4-axis CNC machine
Improper workholding can lead to unwanted vibrations during machining that can result in parts with lower dimensional accuracy
Tool access and restrictions are important to follow
Complex geometries can require custom jigs/fixtures
Machining complex geometries require complex tooling and come at an increased cost
Relatively high start-up costs
However, 4-axis CNC machining eliminates the requirement for unnecessary setup changes, and extremely complex parts can be handled with great care.
What is 4-Axis CNC with Balance Cutting?
The involvement of two cutting tools working simultaneously with 4-axis CNC helps to machine the parts while maintaining accurate balance.
Adopting balance cutting can increase the working efficiency, performance of machining and reduce workpiece vibrations to achieve precision and tighter dimensional tolerances.
Generally, the one independent tool carrier contains a tool turret behind the rotation center, and the other one also features a tool turret but in front of the rotation center.
Doing so also enables the manufacturers to execute two independent CNC programs for both tool carriers to process a single workpiece.
It is extremely effective, more productive, and also more expensive than standard 4-axis CNC machining.
Furthermore, balance cutting with 4-axis CNC machining has numerous advantages:
The balancing It can increase the dimensional accuracy of the machining
It eliminates the distortion of the workpiece that can occur due to the cutting force
Doing so can highly increase the cutting volume per time of your part’s machining
Strategies like synchronous tool path control can help achieve balance cutting.
What are the Basic Strategies with 4-Axis Machining?
4-axis CNC machining is extremely productive for technologically-enhanced industries because of their complex design requirements for the parts.
There are three basic strategies for 4-axis CNC machining and which are the following:
Rotary roughing: It is a process that removes a large amount of material from the workpiece. Moreover, there are tool paths for machining with circular, spiral, and linear guides. With the help of rotary roughing, the entire circle/section can be machined.
Rotary finishing: It is based on a mechanism similar to 3-axis finishing. It helps manufacturers adjust the parameters to obtain the desired surface finish.
Profile machining: The versatile toolpath strategy of 4-axis CNC machining allows us to use a given curve as job geometry.
How can 4-Axis CNC Produce Complex Parts?
4-axis CNC machining, with its high-performance capabilities, changed the manufacturing world by introducing techniques that can help machining precision parts by achieving tighter tolerances.
The emergence of 4-axis CNC technology has made parts machining much faster and more accurate.
With the highly advanced pieces of equipment, 4-axis CNC machining allows us to easily machine parts with complex profiles.
With a vast library of CNC machining options available, different processes can be utilized depending on the part’s shape, size, quantity required, and end purpose.
What are the Similarities Between 4-Axis and 5-Axis CNC Machining?
CNC machining with extra axes has always proven to be extremely productive, beneficial but more expensive.
4-axis and 5-axis machining both can manufacture parts rapidly and can process extremely complex parts.
Both eliminate incorrect alignments by reducing the risk of manually reorienting the workpiece for a new set-up.
Moreover, both these machining techniques eliminate the need for complex fixtures.
The presence of some extra axes makes a great difference in machining by improving the accuracy of your parts machining.
4-axis and 5-axis machines can move in new arcs and angles with great flexibility and reach.
This enables manufacturers to create a wide range of unusual geometries.
With multi-axis machining, gradual rotation can produce near-perfect contours with a smooth finish.
Furthermore, it can offer an optimal chip removal and cutting speed that results in high quality, performance, and accuracy of the finished part.
What are the Types of 4-Axis CNC Machining?
4-axis CNC machines feature the same three aces with an additional X-axis that helps them act as both milling machines and CNC lathes.
4-axis CNC machines can be arranged in many different ways, mostly depends on the workpiece.
The most common 4-axis CNC configuration is vertical machining. There are two primary types of 4-axis CNC machining:
Index: In index 4-axis CNC machining, the rotation and cutting are independent, and the workpiece rotates until perfect cutting is achieved.
Continuous: Continuous 4-axis CNC machining is more efficient than index machining and can cut and rotate simultaneously. Moreover, its greater flexibility allows the precision machining of complex parts.
Both types of 4-axis CNC machining provide more efficient machining and reduce the time, cost, and material waste that also further optimize the manufacturing process.
What is the Classification of 4-Axis CNC Machining?
4-axis CNC machining can offer superior results at an extremely low cost and with smooth surface finishes.
It is becoming essential for many manufacturing applications, including the advanced industries like aerospace that are known for requiring extremely precise machining of complex parts.
4-axis CNC machining is classified into the following:
Its machining center can be either vertical or horizontal, depending on the state of the spindle in the space.
According to the machining center’s movement coordinates, there are four primary axes.
There are single, double, and multiple worktable machining centers based on the number of the functionality of worktables.
There are ordinary and high-precision machining centers according to the machining accuracy.
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