Wexmar provides 4-axis machining services on Mazak horizontal machining centers, where the pallet rotates as a fourth axis and presents each face of a part to the spindle. This is the process we use for multi-face housings, manifolds, valve bodies, and brackets that need tight relationships between features on different sides. If you need a 4-axis CNC machine shop near Syracuse or anywhere we can ship, our Canastota, New York shop quotes and produces this work directly.
What 4-axis machining is
Standard milling moves a cutter in X, Y, and Z. A fourth axis adds rotation of the part around one axis. On a horizontal machining center that rotation is the B-axis of the pallet, so the machine can index to any face or rotate while cutting to machine features at compound locations around the part. With a tombstone fixture, one pallet can carry several parts on each face, and the machine works through all of them before the pallet changes. Every feature is cut from one set of datums, which reduces the stack-up errors that come from flipping a part by hand between setups.
When you need 4-axis horizontal machining
- Parts with holes, bores, or pockets on four or more sides
- Radial hole patterns and features at angles around a central axis
- Manifolds and valve bodies where cross-drilled passages must intersect accurately
- Production runs where tombstone fixturing multiplies parts per cycle
- Jobs quoted elsewhere as 5-axis that are really multi-face indexing work
Indexed versus continuous fourth axis
Most 4-axis CNC machining is indexed: the pallet rotates to a set angle, locks, and the machine cuts that face as a 3-axis operation. Continuous fourth-axis work rotates the part while cutting, which is useful for cam-like profiles, helical slots, or features wrapped around a diameter. Our programmers choose indexed motion wherever it serves the print, because a locked pallet is the most rigid condition, and use continuous rotation only where the geometry calls for it.
Wexmar machines for 4-axis work
Our 4-axis work runs on six Mazak horizontals: two FH4800s, a PFH4800, a Nexus 4000-II, and two Nexus 5000-II machines. All have pallet changers with rotary pallet motion. The Nexus 4000-II suits compact parts, the FH4800 family handles mid-size production, and the Nexus 5000-II machines carry larger parts and heavier tombstones. See the machine list for the full lineup and our horizontal machining page for more on the HMC process.
Typical tolerances and finishes
| Feature | Typical standard | Typical tight (by review) |
|---|---|---|
| Feature position across rotated faces | 0.003 in | 0.001 in |
| Angular index accuracy (as measured on part) | ±0.1° | ±0.05° or tighter by review |
| Bored diameters | ±0.001 in | ±0.0005 in |
| Linear dimensions | ±0.005 in | ±0.001 in |
| Surface finish | 63 Ra | 32 Ra |
Values shown are typical. Actual capability depends on part size, material, and how the datum scheme on the print relates to the fixture.
5-axis parts and 4-axis alternatives
Wexmar does not offer 5-axis machining. Many parts labeled 5-axis only need features on several faces or at a single compound angle, and a 4-axis horizontal with tombstone fixturing produces those parts well, often at a lower cost per piece in production. Buyers who need true simultaneous 5-axis contouring, such as impellers, blades, or blended freeform surfaces, should ask before sending a full package so we can give a clear answer.
Materials suited to 4-axis machining
We machine aluminum, carbon and alloy steels, 300-series, 400-series, and PH stainless, Nitronic 50, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, titanium, brass, bronze, copper, and engineered plastics on our horizontals. Stainless and nickel alloy manifolds benefit from the chip evacuation of a horizontal spindle.
Quantity fit
4-axis horizontal machining fits prototypes on simple fixtures and production on dedicated tombstones. The more parts per pallet, the more the fourth axis pays off. Typical orders range from a few pieces to several thousand per year on blanket releases, and second-shift capacity supports steady output.
Inspection deliverables
Multi-face parts are measured on our Brown & Sharpe Gage 2000 and Gage ONE CMMs so positions on each face are reported to the same datums used on the print. We provide CMM reports, AS9102-format first article inspection, material certifications, and heat-lot traceability. More detail is on our inspection and quality page.
Getting a quote
Send a STEP model and drawing with material and annual quantity so we can plan fixturing. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and a human estimator confirms every quote. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.