
Milling with five axes, especially 5-axis simultaneous machining, is one of the most fascinating processes, albeit one of the most demanding ones. While 5-axis milling has become well established on a broad front in the past two decades in Germany and Europe, companies in other markets are still hanging back. Far too many, believes the world market leader DMG MORI, who has started a global competence campaign in the form of international 5-Axis Excellence Centres.
With a wide product portfolio and a high market presence, DMG MORI has long grown to become a leading supplier of machine tools with 5-axis technology. DECKEL MAHO Pfronten has been able to place more than 15,000 5-axis machining centres from the monoBLOCK and duoBLOCK series as well as from the field of portal machines on the market.
The reason for the strong focus on 5-axis solutions is the manufacturing advantages for the whole process. Alfred Geissler, Managing Director of DECKEL MAHO Pfronten GmbH, provides examples: “Tools can machine an area at the required angle, instead of milling it with 3 axes in numerous small steps. Or cross bores and undercuts – these cannot, in comparison, be produced economically at all on a three-axis machine. Even more fascinating is the geometrical flexibility, as can be seen in many customer applications. As 5-axis machining is usually complete machining in one setup, users benefit widely. The manufacturing of complex workpieces is more economical due to the minimal setup requirements and more precise than the sequential 3-axis machining, as there is no loss of accuracy during retooling.