--- title: CNC Machining Blog | Hurco CNC Machine Tools | Manufacturing Industry Insights (4) description: Manufacturing Industry Insights | 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. (4) --- # 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 Manufacturing Industry Insights (4): ![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. ![Restart Program Where You Left Off with Hurco Recovery Restart](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-68389356-jpg/images/auto_set_restart_marker_1.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) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) Have you ever had to abruptly stop your machine in the middle of running a program and wished there was a way to restart the program exactly where you left off, even if you were in the middle of all that code? With [Hurco’s Recovery Restart feature](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/support/FAQ_Documents/Using-Recovery-Restart.pdf), you can! ![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: ![Absolute Tool Length: the industry standard](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-29189300-jpg/images/absolute-tool-length-calibration.jpg) [WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-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) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) As many of you are already aware, the Absolute Tool Length method of tool calibration has become the industry standard for measuring and recording the length of individual cutting tools on milling machines. This method of tool measurement not only produces numerical values that make sense to the operator, and can easily be verified with a pocket scale, but will also allow for tool lengths to be set offline using a presetter - and then the data can simply be entered into the tool setup for that particular tool…helping to reduce setup time at the machine. ![Using Subprograms: A powerfully simple tool](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-49127543-jpg/images/subprograms.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) [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) I was asked by a reader to post an article about using subprograms. Although this is a pretty simple subject, it made me realize that not everyone is familiar with the use of subprograms and subroutines. I will also touch on the use of [Hurco’s conversational NC Merge](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/194602/hurco-s-nc-merge-the-best-of-both-worlds) capability, which is powerfully simple and very useful! ![Mill-Turn CNC: understanding live-tool orientations](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-46101168-jpg/images/mill-turn_9.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) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) We discussed the basics of mill-turn CNC technology in a [past blog article](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/281989/An-Introduction-to-Mill-Turn-Technology). Today, I would like to build on that basic foundation. ![Introduction to CNC Mill-Turn Technology](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-38101786-jpg/images/mill-turn_2.jpg) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) On a regular basis I am asked to explain something pertaining to live-tool machining on a lathe, or "mill-turn," as it is commonly referred to in the industry. Even people with a CNC turning background are sometimes a little confused, especially in the areas of tooling and when the use of an additional Y-axis is necessary. In this article, I will shine some light on the basics of live-tool machining and the application of the optional Y-axis. ![Improve Surface Finish, Reduce Cycle Times with Hurco UltiMotion](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-32017651-jpg/images/ultimotion-can-save-you-30-percent-in-time.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) [CAD/CAM / Post Processor](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cadcam-post-processor) [High Speed Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/high-speed-machining) Previously, I posted an [article explaining the CNC motion control system](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/231550/The-CNC-Motion-Control-System-Simplified) and how it works. In that article, I tried to keep it very simple and break down a quite complex piece of technology into an easy-to-understand analogy. Today, I want to discuss it in a little more detail and point out some exciting advances in motion control technology. [ Prev ](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/3) [2](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/2) [3](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/3) [4](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/4) [5](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/5) [6](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/6) [ Next ](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights/page/5) ### Subscribe to the Machinists Blog Copyright © 2026, Hurco Companies, Inc. ![](https://secure.pass8heal.com/222100.png)