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Main features of the CNC milling machine

Milling machines are a type of machine tool used to machine solid materials. This type of machine has two fundamental existing forms; horizontal and vertical, the terms were derived from the direction of the cutting tool-spindle.

Unlike drilling, where the workpiece is held stationary and the drill moves vertically to make its way into the material, milling also involves movement of the workpiece adjacent to the rotary cutter, but is capable of cutting to cut the sides along with the tips. The movements of the workpieces and cutters are precisely controlled, usually through precision ground slides in conjunction with the lead screw or analogous technology. Milling machines can be operated manually, by mechanical automation or by digital automation through Computerized Numerical Control or CNC.

Almost all CNC milling machinery was controlled by computerized vertical mills that had the ability to vertically move the spindle along with the Z axis. With this extra point of freedom, it allows the use of engrave and plunge features as well as 2.5D surfacing. as sculptures in relief. Once you join the no-help taper tools and ball nose cutters, it is sure to improve milling accuracy without affecting speed, providing cost effective alternatives to most flat surface hand engraving jobs.

CNC machines can outlast almost all forms of manual machinery, such as horizontal mills. Multi-axis machines is the main advanced feature of the CNC milling machine, two or more axes were added from the normal three axes, the XYZ.

The horizontal milling machine also has the C or Q axis which allows the horizontally mounted workpiece to be rotated and basically enables asymmetrical turning along with eccentric. The B axis or fifth axis manages by itself the inclination of the tools.

Once all the axes were linked together, very complicated geometries can easily be made with this type of machine. However, the ability to program complicated geometry is beyond the capabilities of most operators. For this reason, 5-axis milling machines are programmed by CAM at all times.

Different types of milling machines and the basic parts.

* Box or Column Mills – A very basic bench mounted machine featuring the head moving up and down the column or box rails.

* Turret or vertical ram mills: generally referred to as Bridgeport type, with spindles that can be aligned in various positions.

* Knee mill or knee and column mill: refers to any machine in which the xy tables travel up and down the line on adjustable vertical knees.

* C-Frame Milling Machines: Features knee and fixed spindle head that only moves vertically.

* Planer Style Mills – This is a large mill that was built like planers with the exception of the milling spindle in place with the planning head.

* Floor Mills – Contains a row of rotary tables, along with the horizontal spindle fixed on the set of rails that run parallel over the rows of tables. These mills are mainly converted to computer numerical control.

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