The specific configuration of a five axis CNC Machining machine determines which two of the three rotating axes it uses, and it can have arbitrary combinations 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 indicated by the movement of the worktable, while rotary machines indicate their rotation axis by rotating the spindle.