Milling track, step three

4 & 5-Axis
Machining

Program complex multi-axis parts with confidence, from indexed work through full simultaneous 5-axis motion.

Watch the introduction module from the course

The course

Take on the parts nobody else wants to quote

The 4 & 5-Axis Machining Course is designed to expand your programming skills for complex machining. This specialized course equips you with the knowledge and techniques essential for both 4-axis and full simultaneous 5-axis toolpath strategies.

This unique course provides a one-of-a-kind curriculum that unlocks the skills, techniques, and strategies to tackle the most complex programming jobs. By the end of this course, you will possess a powerful skill set for programming and machining complex parts with confidence.

Complex topics are divided into clear, easily digestible lessons, reinforced with periodic quizzes to ensure concept mastery. With guidance from experienced instructors and a proven curriculum, hundreds of students have successfully gained expertise in this challenging area of CNC programming.

  • Short 10-minute lessons
  • Periodic quizzes
  • Certificate on completion
Curriculum

What you will be able to do

23 hours across 142 lessons.

  • Understand the Surface strategies for full 5 axis simultaneous machining.
  • Lock one or two rotary axis for effective 3 or 4 axis machining.
  • Master the Tool Axis Control tab to add lead/tilt angles on the tool for better material removal.
  • Add Gouge checking to your strategies to adjust the toolpath to avoid collisions.
  • Understand the Links tab for controlling important components of the toolpath.
  • Program 5 axis toolpaths using tapered barrel/conical tools.
  • Drill holes at multiple angles easily using 5AS drilling and the Hole Manager.
  • Use 4AS roughing strategies. Compare it with Rotary Rough and VoluMill wireframe.
  • Side mill features using Swarf milling.
  • Simplify edge breaking using the 5-axis deburring strategy. It works well in 3 and 4 axis too.
  • Use Multi-axis Machining to rough with Adaptive machining ability.
  • Rough and finish a port feature using the Porting strategy.
  • Create toolpaths using Geodesic Machining, Triangle Mesh, Wireframe and others.
  • Control the feedrates within an operation in the Utility tab using feed zones.
  • Optimize machining tolerances to create precise and efficient toolpaths.
  • Use the GeoEdit tools for editing bspline geometry.
  • Use Surface and Solid modelling to modify models for easier machining.
Your instructor

Brian Slonski

Instructor for the advanced training classes

As the instructor for the more advanced training classes, Brian enjoys helping students solve challenging problems and introducing them to powerful new features. He equips students with the skills they need to tackle advanced programming challenges and get parts out the door.

Support

Someone to ask when you get stuck

Learning a powerful CAM system like GibbsCAM is an investment in your skills and productivity. But great training goes beyond just lessons, it is about having expert support when you need it. That is why our courses include dedicated technical support to help you overcome challenges and get the most out of your learning experience.

Our instructors and support engineers bring decades of hands-on experience in both manufacturing and GibbsCAM. They have been in your shoes and are here to help.

The Cognus Institute instructors

No commercial license? You can still take this course.

Follow along on your shop's GibbsCAM seat, or get your own with the GibbsCAM Student License, a learning seat that unlocks every advanced module so every toolpath example behaves exactly as shown.

Learning seat, not a production seat: no G-code posting, no commercial file formats. Keys arrive by email after a compliance check, 3 to 4 business days, so order ahead. Full terms and details

$150 per seat, per year Add to cart
How to buy

Two ways to take this course

Same curriculum, same instructors. The difference is whether you set the pace or we do.

On-Demand

Learn at your own pace

Recorded video. Start the moment you order, watch anytime.

Live Online

Learn with an instructor

Scheduled Zoom classes with a live instructor.

Starts
The moment you order.
On the class start date.
Schedule
Yours. Short 10-minute lessons you fit around the shop floor.
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific.
Lessons
Recorded walkthroughs in GibbsCAM. Pause, rewind, and repeat any lesson as often as you need.
Worked live in GibbsCAM, with two-way screen sharing so the instructor can see your work and answer as you go.
Access
365 days from purchase.
Matching On-Demand course from one week before class until one week after. Extend to a full year for 50% off.
Price
$995 /year
$1,545 /seat
On-Demand

Buy the course

The most comprehensive video GibbsCAM training course available. Designed to ensure a practical, hands-on learning experience, our on-demand classes feature short, 10-minute lessons that give you the flexibility to learn on your schedule and at your own pace. When you purchase 4 & 5-Axis Machining, you have access to 23 hours of training through 142 high-quality videos.

4 & 5-Axis Machining

  • 142 video lessons, 23 hours
  • Short 10-minute lessons
  • Periodic quizzes
  • Taught by working GibbsCAM programmers
  • Rewatch any lesson, any time
  • 365-day access
$995 per seat, per year Add to cart

Or keep going and save

Advanced Concepts + 4 & 5-Axis Machining

Adds advanced coordinate systems, solids-based programming, VoluMill, and machine simulation.

$1,395Save $195
Add to cart
Best value

All-Access Bundle

The entire milling path. GibbsCAM Essentials, Advanced Concepts, and 4 & 5-Axis Machining, start to finish.

$1,595Save $490
Add to cart
Live Online

Upcoming classes

Get the full classroom experience from anywhere. Our Live Online classes cover the exact same material as our On-Demand courses, but with the added benefit of live, instructor-led interaction. Just log in at the scheduled date and time and we will handle the rest. With two-way screen sharing, you will see the instructor's screen in real time, and they can view yours for hands-on, personalized guidance.

July 28 to Aug 72026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $500 value
$1,545 Enroll Closed
January 12 to 222027
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $500 value
$1,545 Enroll Closed

Every Live Online seat includes access to the matching On-Demand course from one week before your class until one week after it ends. Want to keep it? Upgrade to a full year for 50% off and refresh your skills long after the class is over.

Schedule

Full training calendar

Every Cognus class, in one view.

Where to next

Discover our other GibbsCAM training courses

4 & 5-Axis Machining is the end of the milling track.

14 hours, 86 videos

GibbsCAM Essentials

Designed to provide a foundational understanding of GibbsCAM software, ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.

Discover more

13 hours, 76 videos

Advanced Concepts

A deeper dive into the powerful capabilities of GibbsCAM including working with solid models and coordinate system control.

Discover more

Frequently
Asked Questions

    • Windows 10 or Windows 11 (with all available Windows updates).
    • Intel: Xeon, Core i9 or i7 with four or more cores or AMD: Ryzen or Threadripper.
    • 16 GB minimum; 32 GB or more recommended for complex parts, large assemblies, or multitasking with other software (e.g., CAD programs)
    • A quality Nvidia with 4+GB of video memory with the latest drivers installed. (e.g., GeForce RTX series or Quadro P4000/P5000).
    • 2 GB of available hard drive space (for virtual memory usage and temporary file storage).
  • We recommend completing the GibbsCAM Essentials and Advanced Concepts classes before moving on to the 4 & 5-Axis Machining course. However, depending on your experience with GibbsCAM, you may already have the foundational knowledge required for success. If you find this course too advanced, consider revisiting the GibbsCAM Essentials or Advanced Concepts classes to build the programming skills essential for mastering multi-axis machining.

  • No commercial GibbsCAM license is required to take this course. If your shop already runs GibbsCAM you can follow along on that seat. If you do not have access to one, the GibbsCAM Student License gives you a learning seat of your own for $150 per year.

    • Any cancellations or re-scheduling must be made a MINIMUM of 10 working days prior to the course start date in order to acquire full refunds.
    • If cancellation is made within 5 to 10 working days of the course start date, there will be a 50% refund available.
    • If cancellation is made within 5 working days of the course start date, there will be no refund.
    • Cognus Institute reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule courses for any reason. If courses are cancelled, Cognus Institute will provide full refunds.