---
title: CNC Machining Blog | Hurco CNC Machine Tools (10)
description: Welcome to the Hurco CNC machine tool blog. Subscribe for weekly posts on high-speed and 5-axis machining, workholding, the latest control technologies, plus Hurco tips-and-tricks…just to name a few. (10)
---

# CNC Machining Blog - Tips and Tricks for Machinists

Welcome to the Hurco CNC machine tool blog. Subscribe for weekly posts on high-speed and 5-axis machining, workholding, the latest control technologies, plus Hurco tips-and-tricks…just to name a few.

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All Manufacturing Industry Insights CNC Control & Software Milling WinMax Conversational Programming 5-Axis Machining NC / G-Code Programming CAD/CAM / Post Processor Hurco Turning Lathe Tooling Mill Tooling control technology High Speed Machining Mold Making Tool & Die Prototype Machining Workholding Automation Aerospace & Defense Hurco History cnc lathe turning center cnc machining entrepreneur history of machining 3d dxf Automotive Gerald Roch Hurco50 Indiana business Mr. Roch US Navy USS Indiana Vintage Hurco conversational cnc control conversational programming customer dxf dxf transfer hurco cnc indy inventions inventor manufacturing history 2-axis shearing machine 2d dxf 3D Import AI Artificial Intelligence COVID-19 Circle Segment Cutters Compu-cut Coronavirus Ed Humston Energy Hurco 50th Anniversary Hurco US Navy IRS Make48 Medical NHRA PRI Show Purdue Polytechnic Anderson Youth in Manufacturing autobend cnc mill depreciation federal income tax future history of Hurco how its made indycar racing rigid robust section 179 smart machining tax deduction vmx y-axis

![CNC Motion Control System Explained](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-22276595-jpg/images/motion_control_5.jpg)

[WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights)

I was recently asked to explain the motion control system used in CNC machine tools to someone in my family. Realizing that this individual didn’t have a background in manufacturing, and certainly had no experience with anything this complicated and technical, I had to relate my explanation to something common and simple: like driving a car.

![5-Axis machining: It just ain’t that scary](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-21206611-jpg/images/5-axis_simplified_1.jpg)

[5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights)

### 5-axis won't bite

For some reason, [5-axis machining](https://info.hurco.com/en-us/5-axis-cnc-machining-5-sided-full-5-axis-with-hurco?utm_source=Catch-All-Vanity&utm_medium=URL&utm_campaign=5-Axis&utm_content=Unleash-Your-True-Potential) scares people. While talking with people at trade shows, or when discussing the potential of a customer’s parts being a good fit for 5-sided machining, you can just see an uneasy feeling begin to overwhelm them and fear begin to well up in their eyes. The mere thought of all of those axes moving at one time sends them wanting to run for the hills. But if we take the time to look at it logically and break it down to what is really happening, it isn’t scary at all!

![Programming 3D Geometry without CAD/CAM Software](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-20450221-jpg/images/3d_mold_5.jpg)

[WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) [Tool & Die](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/tool-die) [Mold Making](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mold-making) [Prototype Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/prototype-machining)

For many years, Hurco has offered an easy conversational solution for programming simple 3D geometries at the control, without the need for expensive CAD/CAM software. With today’s WinMax control, it’s even easier and more powerful than ever before!

![High-Speed Machining: It’s more than just a faster spindle](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-19473911-png/images/hsm_1-resized-600.png)

[Aerospace & Defense](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/aerospace-defense) [Automotive](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/automotive) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) [Tool & Die](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/tool-die) [Mold Making](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mold-making) [High Speed Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/high-speed-machining)

 

## **WHAT IS HIGH-SPEED MACHINING?**

[High-speed machining](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/products/3-axis/Pages/BX-Series-high-speed-machining.aspx) is usually associated with any spindle speed above 15k rpm, but it is much more than just a faster spindle. The whole machine must be considered when selecting a good candidate machine for high-speed machining. Thermal compensation, overall machine rigidity and construction, positional feedback, the motion control system, tool retention, and many other characteristics must be looked at in detail before determining that a particular machine is suitable for the task.

![5-Axis Return on Investment Worksheet](https://blog.hurco.com/hubfs/ROI%20-%20Text%20in%20Blue%20Color%20on%20Dark%20Digital%20Background..jpeg)

[5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights)

If the past few years have taught us anything, it's that the addition of 5-axis technology can positively impact a company’s bottom line, even in shops that only run "3-axis work." On average, shops who take advantage of this technology have seen improvements of 20% to 30% in efficiency. Imagine what would a 20% to 30% reduction in cycle time and setup time on a part that you are already running in your shop would mean to you.

![5-Axis Machining: Factors that impact accuracy](https://blog.hurco.com/hubfs/Action-VM10Ui-Mount-Part-5axis-WEB.jpg)

[5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights)

### 5-axis machining

5-axis machining has become much more prevalent in today’s manufacturing marketplace, and the overall knowledge base of machinists and operators has grown by leaps and bounds over the past several years. Yet there is still a great deal of misunderstanding and mystery surrounding accuracy, both as it applies to the workpiece itself, and also how the overall positioning of the rotary axes of the machine might be affected.

![Workholding tips for 5-axis machining](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-29187407-jpg/images/5-axis_workholding_1.jpg)

[5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Workholding](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/workholding)

### 5-axis workholding

For anyone new to 5-axis machining, it should quickly become apparent that fixturing can be one of the single most challenging tasks that you will face during the setup process. Although there are many different styles of professionally manufactured workholding devices available, from a variety of different manufacturers - like Kurt, Raptor Workholding, Lang, Jergens, Bock, Hirschmann, and System 3R just to name a few - creativity is the name of the game.

![Hurco NC Merge: Programming software combines best of both worlds](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-29197081-jpg/images/nc_merge_1-resized-600.jpg)

[5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software)

Hurco is well known for its powerful and easy-to-use conversational software, and for 2D and simple 3D geometries, the WinMax conversational control simply can’t be beat. But what about those jobs that share both simple 2D features and complicated 3D shapes that can only be programmed using CAD/CAM software? Hurco has an answer for that as well.

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