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4-Axis CNC Machining

4-Axis CNC Machining

Four-axis machining that adds rotary positioning to milling, so several faces of a part are cut in one setup with tighter alignment between them.

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Tolerance
±0.01 mm typical, with better face-to-face alignment
Configuration
Rotary table or indexer on a 3-axis machining centre
Best fit
Cylindrical or multi-face parts, wraparound features
Setup reduction
Typically 2–3 setups consolidated into 1

How we hold this quality

Wraparound features

Slots, flats, ports and hole patterns distributed around a part are cut without re-clamping, so their relative positions are set by the machine rather than by the fixture.

Fewer setups

Consolidating operations reduces handling damage, queue time and the tolerance stack-up that comes with moving a part between machines.

Cylinders and boxes

Well suited to round parts that need milled features, and to rectangular parts that need accurate work on all four sides.

Stable datums

Because the part stays clamped, the first-cut datum is preserved through all subsequent features.

The fourth axis adds rotation. That matters when features are distributed around a part or on several faces, because the machine can index the part accurately instead of a person re-clamping it.

Where the fourth axis pays for itself

Cylindrical parts with milled flats, slots and ports; rectangular housings needing accurate work on all four sides; long parts with repeating features; and any part where the last operation is a set of holes that must line up with geometry cut in the first operation.

Accuracy where it counts

Every extra clamping operation is a chance to lose position. Consolidating operations removes that risk: the relationship between the first feature and the last is established by the machine’s rotary axis, not by a fixture that has to be set up the same way twice.

For angled faces and complex three-dimensional geometry, see 5-axis machining.

Process & part gallery

Multi-face machined plate produced with rotary positioning
Manifold with features distributed around the body
Ported manifold with machined faces on several sides

How it works

From drawing to delivered part

  1. 1

    Send drawings

    Upload STEP, IGES, DXF or PDF files with material, quantity and finish.

  2. 2

    Engineering review

    We check manufacturability, tolerances and finish for this process.

  3. 3

    Quote and approve

    You receive unit price, lead time and any design questions in writing.

  4. 4

    Produce & inspect

    Manufacturing runs against an agreed inspection plan.

  5. 5

    Ship and support

    Parts are packed, documented and shipped, with support for revisions.

FAQ

4-Axis CNC Machining — frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 4-axis and 5-axis machining?

A fourth axis rotates the part so features around a cylinder or on adjacent faces can be cut in one setup. A fifth axis tilts the tool or the table, which allows the tool to be presented to the part at an angle — usually for undercut geometry or for a better cutting angle on deep features.

Is 4-axis machining more expensive than 3-axis?

The machine rate is higher, but it often works out cheaper because two or three operations become one. For parts with features on several faces, four-axis machining usually wins on both cost and accuracy.

Can you machine long shafts with features along the length?

Yes. Long parts are supported with a tailstock or a steady, and features along the length are indexed from a single datum.

Related processes

CNC MillingCNC Turning3-Axis CNC Machining5-Axis CNC Machining

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Request a 4-axis cnc machining quotation

Upload your CAD files with the material, quantity and finish. Our engineers will review the drawing and reply with pricing and lead time.

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