Senin, 21 September 2015

Vertical Machining Centers And Their Most Common Applications

By Heidi Lehmann


One of the most common tools found in almost every workshop around the world is the Vertical Machining Mill (VMM). The basic arrangement of a VMM includes a spindling cutting tool that is fixed above the workpiece perpendicularly to the cutting plane. The workpiece is fastened on a table that is parallel to the ground and can be moved by the machine operator using levers.

There are basically two types of vertical machining mills that offer a different scope of possibilities. The first one is the "bed mill" where the workpiece table can move perpendicular to the spindle's axis. The second type is called "turret mill" and it allows the table a movement along both the perpendicular and parallel to the cutting tool spindle axis.

Advantages over Horizontal Centers

Vertical machining centers are much faster and easier to set up compared to the larger and more heavy duty horizontal millers. This makes them ideal for the processing of smaller parts, or for performing less demanding metalworking tasks. In addition to this, vertical mills can perform much more intricate work at very tight tolerances, something that is practically impossible with most horizontal centers. Another significant difference is the retractable quill that is available in VMCs and helps in the accurate boring of holes.

Common Uses

Vertical Machining Centers can help machinists perform a wide range of tasks in the metal processing spectrum. Ally to this versatility is the rich collection of special cutting heads, offset boring heads and rotary tables that can be added to the machine in order to perform one of the following tasks:

1. Face or slab milling is the most obvious application of a VMM. The workpiece is mounted parallel to the working table as the cutting head removes material from the top surface, flattening, indentation or leveling the processed item.

2. If the workpiece is mounted in an inclination, the face milling process will produce angular cutting. This angular milling is very helpful for milling jointing dovetails.

3. Then there is the option of the straddle milling that utilized two milling cutters arranged parallelly, mounted on the same spinning axle. This technique allows for the simultaneous cutting of two points separated by a certain preset spacing. The most usual process that is done this way is the milling of hexagons on bolt heads.

4. In the same way, machinists can also achieve high fidelity concaves or simply remove any rough edges through corner rounding. This required good calculation and measurement skills to get right.

5. Another popular use is cutting square-end or round-end keyways along the axis of shafts. This is achieved by using special key slot milling cutters that have the proper diameter and width for milling a keyway that fits the corresponding key.

6. Using the straddle technique, VMM can realize complex mechanical objects like gears and splines. This process may be also complemented by angular cutting.

7. Last, there is the obvious ability to drill holes using a vertical milling machine. The retractable quill offers tremendous help in this endeavor as it serves for the setting of the boring center.




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