CNC routers have transformed the way many individuals and industries manufacture their works and products by increasing efficiency beyond previous levels. Now CNC routers are widely used due to their advantages of strong processing flexibility, high processing accuracy and high production efficiency. The CNC router has great advantages in plane processing, such as mass production of furniture panels, with high efficiency and low cost. CNC routers can cut and engrave a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, aluminum and high-density foam. Woodworking CNC router has a wide range of application industries, such as advertising industry, bamboo and wood craft industry, wood packaging industry, decoration industry, furniture industry, etc.
First, let's take a look at traditional 3 axis CNC router. 3 Axis CNC router is the simplest and most common form. The cutting tool moves along the X, Y and Z axes to remove excess material from the workpiece. CNC router can cut into the workpiece from side to side, front to back, up and down. But the table holding the workpiece cannot move freely, and although more advanced systems are available in the industry today, 3 axis CNC router is still widely used.
So let's take a look at some of the advantages of 3-axis machining. Low-cost, CNC router is best for quick production of basic geometries and simple parts. Multi-functional, with just a tool change for drilling, milling, and even turning.
The 3 axis cnc router is also hindered by various factors and cannot meet all processing needs. Some of these factors include:
1. Design limitations, three axes can only process one surface at a time, which cannot match the complex shapes that can be obtained by 4 axis CNC router and 5 axis CNC machines.
2. Positioning limitation, since the worktable that fixes the workpiece is stationary, the technician must change its direction many times to process other surfaces, and the surface finish is poor. The surface finish obtained with 3-axis machining is relatively poor, and this happens because the tool is longer, so it experiences more vibration, which can destroy the finish of the product. 3-axis CNC machining is still a very useful process that we can use to create a variety of high-precision basic geometries. These applications include 2 and 2.5D pattern engraving, slot and face milling, threaded hole alignment with machine axis, drilling, and more.
4 Axis CNC router offers a significant upgrade over three-axis machining. It adds additional degrees of freedom through rotational motion, providing more possibilities for the machining of complex workpieces. In 4 axis CNC router, the tool moves freely on the X, Y, and Z axes to machine the workpiece, and the 4-axis can cut along the contour of the workpiece, which can process more complex workpieces. 4 axis CNC router can produce intricately detailed parts because the table rotates around the X-axis.
Features of 4 Axis CNC Router
High Precision and Accuracy: The 4 axis CNC router can access multiple faces of the workpiece without adjusting or changing fixtures, so parts made with it are very accurate.
High speed and low cost: Compared to three-axis machining, most of the work done on a 4-axis CNC router requires only one set-up. No downtime or intervention to change fixtures and tools saves time and reduces production costs.
4-axis CNC router also have some flaws that may make them unsuitable for some customers. High cost of operation Compared with running a three-axis CNC machine, the cost of running a 4-axis CNC router is relatively high, because the function operation of a 4-axis machine is more complicated. 4-axis CNC opens up a wide range of manufacturing possibilities, some of its applications include: curved geometries, engraving or machining cylinder sides and contours, cutting side holes.
There are many types of 4 axis cnc engraving machines. Next, we will introduce some of the most common ones.
The first type of rotary axis CNC router, due to the rotating motion of the fourth rotating axis, the CNC router can realize 3D machining of cylindrical surfaces and arc surfaces. In terms of use, it can machine planes, reliefs and cylinders. The CNC router can place 4, 6 or more rotary axes according to the needs of the work, so that multiple materials can be processed at the same time and mass production. For example, rotary axis cnc router AKM1325-4R can be used for processing table legs, chair legs, Roman columns and other products. Multi-axis co-processing, high production efficiency.
There is also a machine with only one rotating axis, which can process both cylindrical materials and plates, and has more comprehensive functions. Plates can be machined on the table, while cylindrical materials are machined with rotating shafts. Both of these machines have certain limitations, and the appropriate one can be selected according to the needs of the work.
Then there is the real 4-axis CNC router AKM1325-4A, the swing head 4-axis CNC router which can make all four axes of X, Y, Z and A work simultaneously. Accordingly, it is capable of engraving various 3D designs of regular, irregular, symmetrical and asymmetrical. A true 4-axis CNC router gives you more flexibility, the A-axis can engrave or mill cylindrical blanks at any angle from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. Mainly used in 3D sculpture, cylindrical sculpture, animal model, large architectural model, three-dimensional sculpture, curved furniture and curved plate sculpture, etc.
The appearance of the 4 axis swing head CNC router can be said to have an extremely important influence on the key technical fields of machinery manufacturing. The engraving machine realizes the function of swing head engraving on the basis of 4-axis work, thus making the whole 4 axis swing head cnc router obtain a more obvious and key improvement in its work efficiency and engraving effect.
The 4 axis swing head cnc router also has unique advantages for the engraving of some handle parts or handicraft ornaments. The four-axis work, numerical control system and other devices provide the basic technical platform support for the improvement of the accuracy of the CNC router.