A 6061-T6 aluminium camera gimbal frame is completed in fewer setups, which is the real advantage: feature relationships improve because the part is not re-fixtured between faces. This page covers 6061-T6 aluminium camera gimbal frame produced for medical: simultaneous five-axis machining with simulation and verified toolpaths. Every unit is supplied to drawing rather than to a catalogue description, and simultaneous 5-axis finishing is the starting point rather than the limit.
In practice the difficulty is rarely the nominal size. ±0.02 mm is held on the features that locate the part in the assembly, and the process is set up so that the first piece and the five hundredth measure the same way.
Specification
| Process | Simultaneous five-axis machining with simulation and verified toolpaths |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | 6061-T6 aluminium |
| Size / capacity | simultaneous 5-axis finishing |
| Tolerance | ±0.02 mm |
| Surface finish | as machined or polished, Ra 0.8 µm |
| Application | camera gimbal frame for medical |
| Inspection | Dimensional report, material certificate, first article report on request |
| Lead time | 7–15 working days for samples, 3–4 weeks for production |
| Minimum order | 1 piece for prototypes, from 50 pieces for production pricing |
Manufacturing process
Production begins with a drawing and material review. Stock is certified, the operation sequence is fixed, and simultaneous five-axis machining with simulation and verified toolpaths is carried out on equipment maintained to hold ±0.02 mm over a full shift, not just on a first piece.
Material is purchased against a certificate and checked on receipt, so the composition is known before any cutting starts. Work in progress is identified by part number and operation, and the finished parts are deburred, cleaned and protected before they leave the machine area.
Typical applications
Most of the work supplied in this category falls into the following examples.
- Aerospace structural fittings.
- Impellers and bladed components.
- Surgical instrument bodies.
- Robot wrist and joint housings.
- Optical and camera mounts.
Quality control and documentation
Inspection is not a final formality. Dimensions are checked during the cycle and again at the end, so drift is corrected while there is still stock to remove.
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports and first article inspection reports are issued with the shipment where the application requires them. Calibration dates and measurement uncertainty are recorded alongside every result.
Ordering, lead time and packaging
Orders start from a single piece. Samples are quoted from the 3D model, and production pricing follows once quantity, finishing and inspection are agreed.
Frequently asked questions
When is five-axis worth the extra cost?
When a part needs three or more setups in three-axis work, or when a compound angle cannot be reached otherwise. Fewer setups also means fewer places for tolerance to accumulate.
How are toolpaths verified before cutting?
Every programme is simulated against the solid model, checking for collisions, holder clearance and gouges, then run with a reduced feed on the first part under a dry run.
What file formats do you need for a quotation?
STEP or IGES for the 3D model and a PDF drawing with tolerances, material and surface finish called out. Native files from SolidWorks, Creo or Inventor are also accepted.
Send the drawing or the 3D model for a quotation. Include material, quantity, tolerance and finish, and a detailed quote with lead time is returned within one working day.
