CNC: 2D, 3D and 5-axis Milling – where are they used ?
The vast majority of CNC machines worldwide (95 % or more) are used for 2D milling. This can be milling on vertical or horizontal machining centers.
The rest of the machines, 5 % or less, are used for 3D or 5-axis milling in tool rooms and aerospace companies. 3D milling is typically done on vertical machining centers, and 5-axis milling on 5-axis machining centers.
There is a common misconception that 2D miling is ‘low tech’ and 3D and 5-axis milling are ‘high tech’. The fact is that both are high tech (or low tech) in different ways.
In 3D and 5-axis milling the part geometry comprises complex 3D surfaces. The variety of operations is small, process planning and tool selection are simple. In 2D milling the part geometry comprises simple holes and planes. The variety of operations is very large, process planning and tool selection are complex. The knowledge of machining operations, process planning and tooling required is actually far more in 2D milling.
