The specific equipment of a five axis CNC Machining machine determines which two of the three rotating axes it uses, and it can be changed in any combination of AB, AC, or BC, depending on the type of five axis machine. Common types include ear axis machines and rotary machines.

Ear axis machines operate on the A axis (rotating around the X axis) and C axis (rotating around the Z axis), while rotary machines operate on the B axis (rotating around the Y axis) and C axis (rotating around the Z axis). The rotation axis in ear axis machines is represented by the movement of the worktable, while in rotary machines, their rotation axis is represented by the rotation of the main shaft.

Both styles have their common advantages. For example, ear axis machines provide greater workload because there is no need to compensate for the space occupied by the rotating spindle; On the other hand, rotary machines can support heavier parts because the workbench is always horizontal.