Monthly Archives

January 2018

An In-Depth Look at 5-Axis CNC Machining and Its Advantages

By | Articles | No Comments

Cutting-Edge Technology: 5-Axis Simultaneous CNC Machining and Its Advantages

5 Axix CNC MillingWithin the metal machining industry, the processes of metal removal and parts fabrication were once quite laborious; manually-operated equipment and multiple adjustments/set-ups were prevailing aspects in all production runs, resulting in time-consuming jobs and outputs that were less-than-precise on a repeatable basis.

However, there have been significant improvements since those days of manually-operated machinery.  This advancement has resulted from a proliferation of computer-controlled and multiple-axis technologies that have essentially revolutionized the metal machining industry, allowing the manufacture of parts and components that were once considered impractical from the standpoint of size, as well as the time and/or the cost invested in their fabrication.

This technology has evolved to what is known today as 5-axis simultaneous CNC (computer numerical control) machining.  With respect to its applications, this cutting-edge technology involves the use of a CNC machine to move a part or component or a cutting tool along five different axes at the same time; these five axes consist of the traditional variables of three-dimensional space (commonly known as x, y, and z) plus two rotational axes (labelled a and b) which rotate around the x-axis and y-axis respectively.

There are several benefits to be gained from this cutting-edge 5-axis machining technology; the most notable would be the need for just a single set-up for the simultaneous removal of metal (milling and drilling) along those multiple axes.  In turn, this has improved the overall manufacturing/fabrication of metal parts and components in the following ways:

  • Faster cycle times
  • Greater cost efficiency
  • Reduced production times
  • Improved quality/tolerances
  • Faster (reduced) delivery times
  • Use of multiple tools in synchronization

Additionally, these advancements have permitted the machining of very intricate parts with the highest degree of accuracy; consequently, industries in which this degree of complexity is required in their parts manufacturing, will find the application of 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining to be particularly beneficial.

5-Axis Machining Can Provide Practical Solutions to Complex Manufacturing Needs

5-axis Simultaneous CNC MachiningNoble Precision, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, has made a substantial investment in this 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining technology as a commitment to meet and support the precision manufacturing needs of their clients.

Whether those needs are the creation of prototypes, one-time production applications, or high-capacity manufacturing runs, Noble Precision’s team can deliver practical solutions that will satisfy client expectations and specifications with respect to:

  • Cost efficiency
  • Time efficiency
  • High tolerances
  • On-time delivery

Due to its investment in this cutting-edge technology, Noble Precision can accommodate the manufacture of intricate and large-scale prototypes, parts or components, and molds from a variety of metals and metal alloys such as:

  • Steel
  • Brass
  • Titanium
  • Cast Iron
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steel

Noble Precision has the knowledge and experience to provide their 5-axis simultaneous CNC machining services for clients who supply or compete in a wide range of industries including but not limited to:

  • Aviation
  • Aerospace
  • Automotive
  • Military Defense
  • Natural Resources
  • Equipment Manufacturing

The team at Noble Precision takes considerable pride in their capabilities to provide practical solutions for their clients’ complex manufacturing needs.  For more information, see our 5-Axis CNC Machining services Page.

Call the 5-axis machining specialists from Noble Precision today at 647-499-7569 or contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation on your precision manufacturing needs.

The Accuracy and Advantages of 5-Axis Waterjet Cutting

By | Articles | No Comments

Blow Molding Requires Precision Molds to Assure the Highest Standards of Quality

Waterjet Cutting ProcessWhen performing some type of do-it-yourself home renovation project, many people have undoubtedly been frustrated by an inability to cut or shape their construction materials with a sufficient degree of accuracy; crown molding that does not meet precisely at a 90O angle, floor tiles that chip while being cut to size, and interlocking brickwork that will not properly interlock are just a few the countless examples that might have immediately come to mind.  Consequently, while those jobs were still completed, they were likely not to the desired level of satisfaction.

Imagine then, the challenges faced by companies in the manufacturing industry, where the need for precision is not only non-negotiable from the perspectives of competitiveness, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction, but must also be sustained on a repeatable basis; and this becomes further magnified if the parts or products are being made from heat-sensitive or delicate materials and/or entail intricate cuts, angles, or shapes.

This is where waterjet cutting technology can be a particularly beneficial industrial process.

The application of waterjet cutting technology involves the use of a thin, highly-pressurized stream of water to cut parts, shapes, or components with a substantial degree of accuracy.  The pressure of that stream, or waterjet, is created by a specially-designed pump that can achieve levels ranging from 50,000 to 90,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), sufficient to cut thick and/or hard metals/materials; in some cases, an abrasive substance may be added to the waterjet to aid in the cutting process, especially if it is being performed on material that is softer in nature, such as rubber or wood.

Furthermore, unlike various other forms of machining technology, waterjet cutting is carried out in the absence of heat; thus, along with creating cuts and angles with a high degree of exactness or accuracy on a repeatable basis, this process also protects the material against exposure to high temperatures that can adversely affect its physical structure or properties. And for good measure, the waterjet cutting process can be performed while the material is submerged in a tank of water, hence significantly reducing the amount of noise that can be produced by this type of technology.

To summarize, there are several cost efficiencies and other production-related benefits that can be derived from waterjet cutting; these can include:

  • Producing extremely high accuracy rates and high rates of repeatability
  • No need for custom tooling, a practical option for limited production runs
  • The flexibility and capability to cut a single-layer or multi-layered material
  • Edge quality is good, minimizing/eliminating the need for secondary finishing
  • Cutting in the absence of heat protects the cut edges from damage/distortion
  • Operator safety i.e. noise reduction and less airborne dust, smoke, and fumes
  • Effective utilization of resources – water and abrasive material can be recycled

Capitalizing on these efficiencies and benefits for optimal return depends on how effectively the waterjet cutting process is implemented as well as the precision/accuracy of its output; consequently, manufacturers within and outside of the Greater Toronto Area can confidently rely on Noble Precision for their waterjet cutting needs.

5-Axis Waterjet Cutting to Highly-Complex Levels with Several Types of Materials

5-Axis Waterjet CuttingNoble Precision has made a significant investment in state-of-the-art 5-axis waterjet cutting technology, and the latest in associated CAD/CAM software, to provide clients with accurate and clean-edged cutting of complex parts and components from a wide variety of materials. In essence, 5-axis waterjet cutting technology allows more detailed cuts to be made than traditional three-dimensional methods (x, y, and z axes) via a synchronized or simultaneous movement around two rotational axes as well (a and b planes).

As a result, 5-axis waterjet cutting can be used to make cuts, contours, bevels, chamfers, etc. with almost any level of intricacy and to various widths and depths.  While the majority of the above cutting actions are applied to sheet metal, the 5-axis machining capabilities of Noble Precision can provide waterjet cutting for several other types of materials, including:

  • Titanium
  • Aluminum
  • Copper Alloys
  • Steel; Stainless Steel
  • Marble, Granite, Ceramics
  • Plastics, Rubbers, Foam, Composites

For further insight on Noble Precision’s 5-axis waterjet cutting technology and capabilities, please go to our water jet cutting services Page.

For highly-accurate waterjet cutting to satisfy your precise needs and specifications, call the experienced precision manufacturing specialists at Noble Precision at 647-499-7569 today or contact us to request a complimentary discussion.  

You might also want to check our related posts: