2.5, 3, 4, 5 axis refers to the number of axis a machine can interplolate simultaneously. 2.5 axis machines can generally only interplolate X&Y before doing a Z movement. These machines cannot do helical interploation motion like thread milling, helical entries, etc...
Some 3D toolpaths are 2.5 axis movements, so you still have some ability to do 3D machining on these machines.
Basically what Darebee said above. |