Workholding limitations can diminish the value of a 5-axis machining center.

Sometimes it’s difficult to get the spindle and the cutting tool close enough to the workpiece because the work table gets in the way. A clamping system is now available that allows the workpiece to be raised up from the surface of the work table, which creates clearance for the spindle nose and cutting tool as the table swivels for multi-sided machining or when the spindle head rotates and swivels to create contours or sculptured surfaces. Read more…