--- title: CNC Machining Blog | Hurco CNC Machine Tools | 5-Axis Machining (2) description: 5-Axis Machining | 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. (2) --- # 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. Browse by 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 ## Posts about 5-Axis Machining (2): ![Buying a 5-Axis Machining Center? 5 Tooling Variables to Consider](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) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) Even the most carefully maintained machining centers eventually become obsolete. When it’s time to replace your older machine, look for one that gives you the maximum dollar value for your investment. [5-axis machining centers](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) are versatile, efficient and flexible, and one can do the work of two or three [3-axis machines](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/products#!#vertical). With that new machine comes an opportunity to upgrade your tooling, as newer machining centers can handle more advanced tooling options. Consider these tooling variables when purchasing a new 5-axis machine. ![5-Axis Machine Purchasing Considerations: Size Does Matter](https://blog.hurco.com/hubfs/Action-VM10Ui-Mount-Part-5axis.jpg) [Aerospace & Defense](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/aerospace-defense) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Workholding](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/workholding) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) There are several things to keep in mind when you are in the market for a new [5-axis machining center](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). To be successful, you must make sure that the machine will fit all of your needs, not just your current one. Often times the purchase of a 5-axis machine is driven by a particular job or part, and sometimes shops fail to consider the other work they could run on the machine. Remember, size does matter. ![Top Shops 2013: What's Their Secret?](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-332334045-png/images/top_shops_biz_performance_2-resized-600.png) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [High Speed Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/high-speed-machining) Earlier this year, I reviewed the results from the [Benchmarking Report ](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/317553/Top-Shops-What-s-Their-Secret-Sauce)by [Modern Machine Shop](http://www.mmsonline.com/) called TOP SHOPS and promised to give you an update when the 2013 results were published. This blog post only touches on a fraction of the information contained in this incredibly extensive report—the [Executive Summary](http://mmstopshopsexecsummary.epubxp.com/i/147470) alone is 22 pages—so I encourage you to explore Modern Machine Shop’s [TOP SHOPS ZONE](http://www.mmsonline.com/zones/topshops) ![5-Axis CNC Machine Configurations: Design Pros and Cons](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-272622771-jpg/images/5axis_configuration_1.jpg) [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) Regardless of a particular original equipment manufacturer machine tool builder, there are several common configurations for 5-axis CNC machines that are available. Each one has its own set of strengths that make it stand out among the choices. The most common types are table-table, head-table, and head-head configurations. ![5-Axis CNC Programming: Rotary Angles or Tool Vectors?](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-205217120-jpg/images/tool_vector_10.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) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) When programming in [5-axis](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), we have two distinct options that we can use to command rotary moves and positions. We can output the data using either rotary angles or tool vectors. Although each one has its pros and cons, I prefer to configure a postprocessor to output these rotary commands as IJK tool vectors, instead of the more common ABC-axis rotary angles. ![Helpful Job Shop Products for Machinists](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-61732003-jpg/images/shop_resources_1.jpg) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [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) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Workholding](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/workholding) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) [Prototype Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/prototype-machining) [Automation](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/automation) As machinists, we are all aware of the standard tools of our trade. However, there are other non-standard tools available that not everyone is aware of and could be very helpful in our day-to-day life in the job shop. Just like any other industry, if there is a time consuming and mundane procedure that must be completed, you can bet that somewhere there is someone who has already invented a tool or device that would make that task easier. Here is a list of helpful products for machinists that addresses workholding, fixture building, part and tool setup, coolant nozzles and more: ![5-Axis Buzz Words: learn the lingo](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-29761679-jpg/images/tcpm_1.jpg) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [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) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) Just like any other form of technology within our industry, 5-axis manufacturing has its very own vocabulary and list of technical buzz words. Although many of the features described below can be viewed as common, some are only found on the more advanced machine controls. For anyone looking into 5-axis machining, understanding these buzz words can be a huge benefit - and just might keep them from making an uneducated decision that they might live to regret later on. ![Best CNC Control for NC Programming: Hurco](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-26818661-jpg/images/nc_float.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) [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) A common misconception about the [Hurco control](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/products/Pages/WinMax-our-cnc-control.aspx) is that it is a conversational control. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Although [Hurco invented conversational programming,](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/about-hurco/Pages/history.aspx) and arguably has the most powerful conversationally capable platform on the market, I would not refer to the [WinMax® control](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/products/Pages/WinMax-Desktop-Trial.aspx) as a “conversational” one. I would instead call it “multi-lingual." [ Prev ](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining/page/1) [1](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining/page/1) [2](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining/page/2) [3](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining/page/3) [4](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining/page/4) [ Next ](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining/page/3) ### Subscribe to the Machinists Blog Copyright © 2026, Hurco Companies, Inc. ![](https://secure.pass8heal.com/222100.png)