Take a look at the 9-Axis Swiss Lathe Center we use for part production in our shop, pictured above ›

What is a Multi-Axis Machine?

Though technically a 3-axis cnc machine is operating on multiple axes, we typically only refer to machines of 5 axes or more as “multi-axis” as it’s at this level or higher that more complex geometries with deeper cuts can be produced. But why exactly is a higher number of axes important in machining? With fewer axes that the cutting and milling tools can ride on to approach a turning piece of bar stock, the angles that the tools can reach relative to the piece are limited. SImply put, the more axes available, the more opportunity to get closer to the stock and perform cutting operations at various angles, allowing for more complex machining without the need to move or rotate the stock material. Combined with the addition of a separate spindle and a variety of tooling, and you have a machine capable of completing complex cuts quickly, efficiently and with higher accuracy.

For this reason, investing in multi-axis CNC machining produces greater productivity and improves numerous manufacturing metrics, delivering a measurable and significant ROI through several advantages over machining on a traditional 3-axis cnc machine.

6 Benefits of Multi-Axis Machining 

1.Higher Precision and Accuracy

Multi axis CNC machines operate with greater precision to deliver accurately machined and smoother parts that would be difficult or even impossible to achieve with a 3-axis machine. With a traditional 3-axis cnc machine, the tooling can only approach the workpiece at a few points, limiting the angles from which the stock can be cut away. 

Therefore, to create more complex parts with a 3-axis machine, the workpiece would have to be moved and repositioned for various cuts. Each time a workpiece is moved within the machining process, accuracy and precision are compromised. The multi-axis machines we have access to today can reach workpieces at various angles, and operate more closely to the workpiece, allowing for a complex array of geometries to be performed within a single setup, with no repositioning required. 

2. Improved Production Speed (Lead Times)

The tangential arrangement of the cutting tools to the material with multi-axis machining allows for more material to be removed with each rotation, increasing the speed that single applications can be performed. When this is combined with expanded tooling capabilities and multi-axis simultaneous machining from a single setup, cycle times improve significantly. This can lead to drastically reduced lead times.

3. Fewer Setups 

With multi axis machines, you can set up your workpieces at one time to handle all milling/turning operations needed to fabricate complex geometries. You’ll produce parts faster, minimize operational costs, and reduce most errors prevalent in conventional 3-axis machines.

4. More Complex Part Geometries

The ability of multi-axis CNC machining to move workpieces over more dimensions without removing them gives it a significant advantage over conventional 3-axis machining. Cnc machines with 5 axes or more can get tools very close to the working material at various angles, creating the ability for deep cuts and complex shapes that were not achievable from only 3-axes machines. The greater the axes, the better the machine can handle complex designs with high precision. 

Any time a workpiece needs to be repositioned for a separate set of cutting operations, a degree of precision is lost. High level multi-axis cnc machines, like our 9-axis Miyano,  deliver the most complex parts with extreme precision. These machines attack the most complicated angles to create complex geometries with premium finishes at tighter tolerances.

5. Better Surface Finishes

Multi axis machines bring the cutting tools closer to the working material. Shorter cutting tools produce better surface finishes because the shortened length makes them less susceptible to machining vibration. This produces a cleaner product directly from the machining process and minimizes the need for additional touch ups.

6. Improved Drilling Capabilities

Multi-axis cnc machines change the game for drilling applications. Each time a part is moved in a CNC operation, there’s an opportunity for error or loss of precision. Since parts hold their position through various applications in multi-axis machining, precision is maintained even through separate drilling applications with different variants. The additional axes also allow the machine to reach tighter and more complex angles, completing  more complex drilling applications with finer finishes.

Industries that Rely on Multi-Axis Machining 

Multi-axis machining is the name of the game for any production that requires a high level of accuracy and precision of its parts, without fail. This could apply to nearly any industry in manufacturing; however, there are a few that rely on multi-axis machining more regularly than others, such as the following: 

• Aerospace – Typical aerospace components produced by multi axis CNC tools include valves and turbine blades requiring precise execution on complex geometries.
• Automotive – The high throughput of multi axis equipment make these machines ideal for the low-mix, high-volume production needed for the automotive industry while maintaining the highest quality.
• Medical – Medical instruments, drills, implants, devices, and equipment parts must meet strict quality standards. The ability of multi axis machines to produce the necessary quality at greater speed and the highest accuracy gives medical component manufacturers greater confidence.
• Energy – The oil and gas production industry parts produced from extremely hard steels and exotic alloys using multi axis machines. The complex components that energy equipment needs. Such parts include wind turbines and compressor blades.

The introduction of multi-axis machining in cnc revolutionized manufacturing by opening the floodgates for the production of complex parts with previously unattainable levels of accuracy, quality and control. This is why it’s important to select a cnc machining company that has machines of 5 axes or more in use. At M&M Automatic, we are always looking for the best ways to offer our customers the quality they expect with the lowest lead times and operate cnc turning machines with up to 9 axes for maximum speed and precision. Feel free to contact us to hear about how we can assist your production needs, or request a quote for your next job today. 

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Screw Machine Products

A screw machine product is a class of automatic lathes for small to medium sized parts. The name “screw machine” is considered to be a tad misleading, as these machines don’t only create screws anymore or screw anything into place. Instead, these machines work by spinning metal bar stock on a rotating lathe, which essentially shaves the metal down to a desired size and shape. A screw machine functions with a disc cam, which is a rotating piece used to transform rotary motion into linear motion, or vice versa, using either a single spindle or multiple. Because a screw machine operates with closed spindle collets which hold the cutting tool, deflected debris is reduced to minimal or none at all.

Screw Machine Manufacturing Capabilities

Screw machines are used for bar work in a variety of shapes such as round, hex, or square. The entire bar stock is passed through and turns with the spindle, and is then separated from the part and fed forward, making the screw machine ready for the next part. Screw machines are more time efficient than CNC with their ability to turn 6 to 8 operations simultaneously depending on the number of spindles the machine has. Typically, most automatic screw machines have 6 spindles with some having up to 8 spindles. Screw machines can hold and repeat with tolerances of .0025” of an inch.

CNC Turned Products

The first CNC machines were created in the 1940s and 1950s, modifying existing tools and implementing motors into the design. CNC products essentially function the same way as screw machine products, but instead of being operated by cams, they are mainly controlled by computers. Having transformed a great deal throughout the years, CNC turned products are now equipped to feature more sets of tooling than screw machine products, which allow the machines to perform multiple operations on a part in a shorter amount of time.

CNC Turning Manufacturing Capabilities

CNC turned parts are known for being more precise than its predecessor the automatic screw machine. A CNC machine can rotate parts to speeds up to and exceed 10,000 RPM’s, with accuracies as tight as .0002” of an inch. With accuracies that are able to be achieved and its repeatability it has become the most dependable and efficient way to manufacture precision parts worldwide. Because of the machine’s extreme precision, it is used in a variety of industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, agricultural, and more.

Do you need a part created but aren’t sure what would be the best process – CNC turning or screw machines? Ask us! We’ll be happy to help you figure it out.

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In addition to the newly added Haas DS-30Y, we brought in another turning center beast for 2023 – the Miyano BNE-51MSY. A brand known for high rigidity for top precision and heavy duty cutting capabilities, this new Citizens Miyano fixed headstock swiss lathe machine boasts 9 axes for cutting with 12+12 tooling capabilities between its two identical spindles. An added axis on the secondary spindle, a second turret and superimposed cutting capabilities enable synchronized drilling on front and back facing parts and 3-tool simultaneous cutting to chop cycle times and allow for the production of two complete precision parts in one operation.

We are very excited about the added production capabilities this brings to our shop and to our customers. See the breakdown of features below.

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The new generation of Haas turning centers specialize in being extremely rigid, highly accurate and very thermally stable and our new Haas turning center, added to our equipment lineup at the end of last year, has proven to be a great addition to the floor. We are thrilled about the new capabilities this larger machine has brought to our shop and the expanded production options this offers our customers.

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The Best Options for Custom Machined Parts: How to Choose

Local Job Shop

Working with a local job shop provides you with the most flexibility and visibility. You’ll be able to take a closer look at the shop behind your parts or prototype and work more closely with engineers and machinists. This is a particularly attractive option if you’d like to optimize your design. Look for a job shop that also provides CAD/CAM design assistance and you may be able to take advantage of cost-savings during the manufacturing process.

Working with a local job shop also allows you to learn more about the machines and machinists involved, and make sure that the job shop has the capabilities and expertise to manufacture your parts with accuracy and quality. Collect the information you need about your project beforehand and you’ll be able to vet the job shop properly, and ensure that they have the right equipment, skills and manufacturing process.

Online Ordering

According to a 2018 e-commerce report by the Census Bureau, manufacturing made up approximately 67% of e-commerce shipments, amounting to nearly $4 trillion. This includes a wide range of different products, components and items, including custom machined parts.

Online ordering is one option to order custom machined parts. Though it offers less flexibility and visibility, it might provide greater speed and cost-savings. There are many different services for online ordering, and different companies have different processes for fulfilling orders. In some cases, the company may offer some remote design assistance, but others might not offer this service. In other cases, you might simply offer your design files and, with an expedited and simplified quote process, receive a quote and order your parts.

If your parts of components are somewhat simple and don’t probably won’t benefit much from design assistance, or if you have ordered these types of parts before using the same design files, this may be a viable option.

Toll Manufacturing

Working with a toll manufacturer can give you additional control over the manufacturing process, but will also give you greater responsibility. With toll manufacturing, you’ll be responsible for providing the materials and any other other requirements, while the manufacturer provides the facility, equipment and staff.

If you have favorable relationships with materials suppliers, this option can help you save considerable money. In addition to maintaining control over materials, this option can also provide more protection over intellectual property, such as your patents. For buyers that wish to have more control over the manufacturing process while still working with a reliable partner over an extended period, toll manufacturing can be a favorable option.

In-House Manufacturing

In some cases, in-house manufacturing can be a good option, though this requires considerably more time and investment. This option provides maximum control over materials, intellectual property, and every aspect of the manufacturing process. However, it also requires substantial investment in the equipment and facility, hiring and training, management and more.

If you foresee your manufacturing needs increasing significantly in the near future, and if you foresee this being a lucrative branch of your business, this may be a worthwhile investment. However, it’s important to carefully consider all the expenses associated with this endeavor, and accurately forecast income you might gain from it before making this decision.

There are many options to obtain your custom machined parts. Consider your options carefully and the costs and benefits of each. As you make this consideration, think about what these business relationships and investments will mean for your business right now, and into the future.

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7 Reasons to Use a Job Shop for Metal Machined Parts

1. No Equipment Costs

The right milling, turning, screw machines and other equipment for metal machined parts requires substantial investment. High-quality CNC mills with even the simplest configurations cost over $50,000 for a single machine. And you’re unlikely to use just one machine for your machined parts. One of the first and most obvious reasons to use a job shop for metal machined parts is there’s no upfront investment required on your part—the machine shop tackles this for you.

2. No Training Costs

Even the most advanced equipment isn’t very useful without people who know how to use it. Proper training is essential to not only produce a high-quality product, but also to protect employees from hazards. Training employees to use machine shop equipment takes time. However, machine shop clients don’t have to worry about this aspect of the job.

3. Work With Experts

The right training will show someone how to use advanced milling, turning, or similar machines, but it’s experience that allows them to produce exceptional products at great speed. Working with experts at a machine shop, you can rest assured that your project is in good hands. Look for a job shop that has experience working with your products and materials, so there’s no trial-and-error phase.

4. Reduce Liability

Metalworking equipment poses some obvious hazards. Workers who don’t know how to use or install these machines properly can be exposed to serious risk. Machine shops protect themselves and their workers with the right insurance and employee benefits, as well as training to ensure a safe workplace. Working with a job shop for metal machined parts, you don’t have to take on any of this liability yourself.

5. Design Assistance

There are often multiple ways to machine a part, but usually one way that is most efficient in terms of materials and time. Making one or two small changes to a design can make the machining process more efficient and save thousands of dollars in the long run. With CNC machining, it’s easy to make small changes to a design and then produce an accurate prototype or product. A design expert knows how to make these changes and make your parts with maximum efficiency.

6. Existing Partnerships

Whether you are working with stainless steel, nickel alloys, titanium alloys or another metal, stock metals are expensive. Existing partnerships with suppliers can help you save money, but these take time and effort to forge. Instead of forging these partnerships yourself with stock suppliers, work with a job shop that already has strong supplier relationships.

7. Get the Latest Tech

Job shops specialize in machining services and they have the resources and expertise to get the latest equipment for the job. When you find a job shop that specializes in what you do, you can take advantage of the latest equipment and techniques for doing it. This ultimately means your parts can be created faster, with fewer errors and with the highest level of precision.

There are many reasons to use a job shop for metal machined parts. The right job shop will have the equipment and experience necessary to complete your job quickly and within a reasonable budget. If you have questions about metal machined parts for an upcoming project, get in touch. We’d be happy to tell you more about our job shop, our expertise, design assistance, and more.

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The Importance of High-Quality Screw Machining

Working with The Right Materials

Different screw machines can work with many different materials, including stainless steel, brass, aluminum and more. Choosing the right materials for your components or finished product can help you save significant time and money. As you might expect, tougher metals take more time and require a machine with more power to work with. If the screw machine is not made to work with these metals, it will take much more time and your components are more likely to have defects.

Precision and Accuracy

Precision and accuracy are important for almost every product and component, but they’re especially important for components that are made to connect to or secure other parts. If the screw machine doesn’t operate at the right tolerances, your components will have defects. At best, this will increase expenses and, at worst, it will cause defects in your end product if your fasteners or similar items don’t connect properly. Screw machines with high levels of accuracy will reduce the chances of defects and help to ensure that your products work properly.

Quick Production

Screw machines can operate with great precision as well as great speed. These features have made screw machining equipment a preferred choice for many mass produced components. However, setting up a screw machine improperly can significantly lengthen production times. For this reason, it’s equally important to find the right screw machine as well as experienced operators. With the right equipment and the right set up, screw machines can produce your components in a tight timeline.

Reducing Expenses

Efficiency is one of the most appealing aspects of screw machining. However, if the machine shop isn’t using the right equipment for the job, the efficiency gains can quickly be lost. The right screw machine for the job uses minimal materials, time, and energy, ultimately reducing expenses on your project. Machine shop experts can help you select the right screw machine for the job, with the right size, power and level of detail. This ensures that you aren’t paying for a machine with features that you aren’t using, but your parts will still be constructed optimally.

Finishing On-Time and On-Budget

Whether you are working on the first run of your prototype, specialized parts for a custom build, or another project, it’s important to finish within your timeline and your budget. High-quality screw machines in the hands of experienced machinists can help you stay on-target. Utilizing the wrong equipment can quickly lead to delays and defects, ultimately throwing off your project.

If you’re wondering about screw machining for fasteners, connectors and similar components for your project, we can help. Contact us for more details on screw machining, CNC machining and custom fabrication.

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7 Reasons to Choose CNC Machining for Rapid Prototyping?

1. Precise Tolerances

As the full name implies, Computer Numerical Control machining is controlled by a computer program. Essentially, the machine uses a CAD drawing file to create an item from a solid block of material. And while machines can sometimes break down or experience errors, they’re much more accurate than even the most skilled human operator.

As long as the machine is set up properly and the design files are correct, CNC machining can produce items with very tight tolerances. Some CNC machines are capable of tolerances as close as +0.05mm or 50 microns. This precision makes it easy to create prototypes exactly as you envision them, with intricate detail, multiple components or any design features you need.

2. Mimics Finished Product

Some prototypes are designed to simply mimic the appearance of the finished product, while others are designed to mimic its form as well as its function. When you choose CNC machining for rapid prototyping, the prototype will very closely resemble the finished product, including appearance as well as functionality.

Depending on the design of your prototype, you can use CNC machining to construct a single finished piece, or multiple pieces to assemble the prototype. Other rapid prototyping processes, like 3D printing, often produce visual representations of the prototype or components. CNC machining, on the other hand, creates products very similar to those produced through injection molding, which is commonly used in mass production. Therefore, CNC machining produces durable, functional pieces that will very closely resemble the finished, sale-ready product.

3. Many Different Materials Available

While processes like 3D printing generally work with plastic polymers, CNC machining works with a wide variety of different materials. Aluminum and aluminum alloys are the most common materials used in CNC machining, however there are many other materials available. CNC machines may also use brass and stainless steel, as well as non-metallics like plastics, wood and foam. This makes it easy to construct a prototype with the hardness, tensile strength, wear resistance, and other important characteristics.

4. Easy to Change

Since CNC machining is controlled by a computer program and attached to a computer design file, it’s relatively easy to change and edit your prototype as you continue to improve and develop the design. In a full-production run using injection molding or similar processes, it’s very difficult and expensive to change the design. Choosing CNC machining for rapid prototyping allows you to continue to make improvements.

5. Fast Turnaround

CNC machining is an efficient process that can give you hundreds of units in a very short time. Once the design files are perfected and the process is set up, the machines will work quickly and precisely. While 3D printing can take hours to produce a single unit, CNC machining can produce dozens or hundreds of units in the same time frame.

6. Short Run

CNC machining can produce a few dozen or hundreds of thousands of units. If you have reached the stage in your prototype development where you are ready to test your product with your first users, CNC machining can quickly produce multiple usable, durable prototypes that closely mimic the final product.

7. Finishing Options

With your parts constructed, there are also many finishing options to make it easy to get the look and feel you want for your prototype. This may be especially important if you are comparing the effects of different appearances on sales values such as a painted finish compared to a chrome finish. Or you may wish to ensure that a particular finish performs the way you expect, such as a powder coated part adequately resisting rust. Your prototype may be left as-is, or it may be powder coated, sanded, chrome plated, bead blasted, anodized, and more.

There are many advantages of choosing CNC machining for rapid prototyping. If you have reached the point in your product development where you are ready for a short run of your design, contact us. We can provide you with a quote and help you streamline your design for the most cost-effective CNC machining.

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4 Cost-Cutting Tactics for Metal Machined Parts

1. Choose the Right Materials

This is the first and one of the best cost-cutting tactics for metal machined parts. While quality is essential—and the materials you use are a key factor in quality construction—it’s important to balance quality and expense. In many cases, you can still get the functionality you need from your metal machined parts while still cutting costs.

To find the right material for the job, it’s important to address the part’s function and utility. This way, your part will still function the way that it’s supposed to, without adding extra expense from materials that are unnecessarily tough or complex. For example, if your component is going to be used indoors and won’t be subject to intense temperature extremes or moisture, a carbon alloy will probably meet your needs, and stainless steel may add unnecessary expense.

Consider the following to guide your decisions about materials:

• Force: In the component’s common and regular use, what type of force will it be subjected to? This includes regular wear and tear or abrasion, weight and pressure, pushing or pulling, and more. If the component must withstand heavy force in its regular use, a tough steel will be important, but a component that won’t see intense use can be made with a lighter, more affordable alloy.
• Temperature: Temperature considerations are especially important for metal machined parts. Temperature swings will cause some metals to expand, contract or warp significantly, while other metals will hold their shape more consistently. Consider any aspect that might create temperature swings, such as friction, outdoor use, cooling fluids or heating elements, and more.
• Corrosion: All metals corrode in some form, though some are much more resistant to it than others. If the metal machined part will be subjected to moisture, including washing water, steam, high humidity and other aspects, the metal must be resistant to corrosion. If the component will be mostly enclosed and used indoors where corrosion will be much slower, corrosion resistance probably won’t add much value to the component.

2. Leverage Supplier Relationships

Once you’ve decided on the right material for the job, the next step is deciding where to source the material. If you’re working with a subcontractor for the components, they have existing metal supplier relationships that they can leverage. Or, if you’re subcontracting the labor, but you already have valuable supplier partnerships, you can supply the materials yourself. Choosing the right type of contract and partnership can help you take advantage of the skills and equipment you need.

3. Plan Your Purchases Carefully

Pre-planning is another important cost-cutting tactic for metal machined parts. With a reliable timetable and production schedule in mind, you can take advantage of blanket purchases. These pre-arranged orders with delivery across multiple dates can help your manufacturing partner plan production more easily, and they can help to cut costs.

With a good idea of your production needs, you can also place a bulk order, which can reduce per-unit costs for metal machined parts significantly. Set up costs often account for the bulk of an overall order’s expense, and bulk orders help to spread these expenses across more units. You benefit from economies of scale, and you can be more confident that you will have the components that you need when you need them.

4. Simplify Your Design

Even small details can quickly add expenses for metal machined parts. Simplifying your design is one of the most effective cost-cutting tactics for metal machined parts. Small divots, cuts or holes that are excessively delicate or excessively deep creates unnecessary complexity and expense. Once again, a clear understanding of the component’s common use can help to streamline the design and cut costs.

If you’re unsure how to streamline or simplify your component’s design, talk to an experienced metal fabricating partner. With a detailed understanding of the machines and processes needed to produce the part, an experienced fabrication partner can suggest ways to simplify the design without sacrificing product quality or utility.

Working with an experienced manufacturing partner can help you cut costs on metal machined parts in multiple ways. Experienced designers, engineers, fabricators and project managers can all help to keep your project on-time and on-budget, while still delivering on quality and consistency.

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1. Carbon Alloys

Carbon alloys are beneficial to use when creating machinery parts due to its corrosion resistance and extreme temperature stability. The carbon content in our alloys is below 5% by weight, meaning the steel can achieve a greater weldability and formability but still maintain the strength of steel. Carbon alloys are commonly used for parts that require corrosion resistance, strength and wear resistant properties.

2. Aluminum

On the other hand, aluminum can be used for parts that don’t require much strength. Due to the lack of density in aluminum, the energy output for machining is fairly low compared to machining other materials. If your machine has weight restrictions, using aluminum parts may prove to be beneficial due to its low density and light weight. Aluminum also has excellent corrosion resistance, and is easy to work with heavy machinery due to its thermal and electrical conductivity. Because of its lightweight and general availability, aluminum is fairly inexpensive compared to other metals.

3. Brass

Along with having great strength and being resistant to corrosion, brass is often used for heavy machinery that is visible to others due to its favorable appearance and color. Brass is also very resistant to rust, making it a favorable material for machines that will be operating near water or in high humidity atmospheres. Brass is known as being extremely malleable, so it can be easily transformed into any part that you may need. Although regularly more expensive than other materials, it may be easier to work with depending on the part you need for your heavy machining product.

4. Stainless Steel

One of the most widely used metals for machining purposes today is stainless steel. Although it’s very popular, it may be hard to machine due to its intense strength and hardness. However, because of its hardness, it is a great material for heavy machinery that will be used outdoors, as it has a low corrosive property as well. Stainless steel also has a high resistance to heat, allowing it to retain strength at high temperatures.

5. Plastics

Plastic can be used for a variety of different purposes, including creating parts for heavy machinery. Although plastic isn’t very heat resistant due to its low melting temperature, its light weight and high versatility makes it an easy-to-use material for majority of machine parts. Because plastic is generally lower is strength, it would be beneficial to use it for a machine that requires light weight material.

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