A metal processing machine is the common name for a huge number of units that are used in almost any plant. No production working with non-ferrous, ferrous or ordinary metal can do without the main types of machines.
The main types of devices
It’s worth starting with turning devices. They are used most widely, and their main purpose is to change not only the shape, but also the size of the workpiece. The principle of operation of such units is that they cut or grind workpieces using rotating parts of the device. In other words, metal processing on a lathe is most often carried out by such types of work as drilling, threading, drilling holes.
The second very popular type of equipment is a milling machine. These machines are of the metal-cutting type, and their main working element is the milling cutter, which exerts strong pressure on the workpiece, constantly rotating. A feature of the machine was that the supply of the workpiece can be carried out not only rectilinearly, but also curvilinearly. It all depends on the type of work and on the design of the device.
Other types of machines
Today, there are many types of metal processing on machines. In many ways, this was made possible thanks to a wide range of equipment.
There is a kind of machine tools called boring machines. This equipment is designed for processing large workpieces. They can perform functions such as drilling or boring, for example. This device has a different operating principle from the two previous types, since it has a special spindle. This element is capable of axial feed and can be either vertical or horizontal. Various types of cutting tools are attached to the spindle.
There are two more main types of machines - these are drilling and grinding. What they are intended for is well understood from their name. At grinding machines, the main working element is the grinding wheel, consisting of abrasive material.
A separate category is currently CNC machines - this is numerical software. To date, machines with this addition are considered the best. Currently, all of the listed units are available with integrated CNC. This software helps the operator to operate the machine. Thus, it is not necessary to make any efforts to start the device, etc., and the entire process of setting up work is carried out through a computer. Most often, such plants make up the bulk of the automatic line in any production where large-scale production of metal parts is required.
Milling device operation
Metal processing by a milling machine is a technological operation, which today is one of the most common. On such units there is a mill, which makes the main movement, as well as the supply of raw materials. By feed is meant the process of moving the workpiece and the cutter relative to each other.
Additional modes of the machine
It is worth noting that the processing of metals by a metal cutting machine of this type is not limited to the basic movement of the cutter. There are several auxiliary actions that are often used during work. These movements usually mean additional movements:
- inlet or outlet of the cutter from the workpiece;
- fixing, releasing, as well as controlling the cutting tool and the workpiece itself;
- there are movements of device devices that are designed to automatically control the geometric shape of the product.
It is worth noting that there are machines that make it possible to perform auxiliary movements only by hand, and there are those that are able to perform them automatically. In addition, all machines are divided into several groups, depending on how many such movements they can perform.
How the machine works
In addition to various devices for processing metal on the machine, there is such a thing as kinematics of the unit. It should be noted that it may differ depending on the manufacturer of this equipment, but if we talk about domestic-made devices, they all have approximately the same scheme.
Work begins with the inclusion of a motor with a power of 5.5 kW, which powers the main movement circuit. This movement is transmitted to the shaft using a semi-rigid coupling. It is important to note here that rotation can only be transmitted in two forms - transmission ratio 21:41 or 35:27. Next, the rotation is transmitted to the gears, of which the milling machine has as many as 8 pieces.
CNC machines
Using numerical software on metal processing machines allows you to produce parts that will most closely match the specified parameters. In addition, if you use CNC machines, you can significantly reduce the number of defective products and increase the overall quality of the finished elements.
If we talk about the design of such machines, then they are almost no different from ordinary ones. The only significant difference is that software is added that minimizes the need for human intervention in the workflow.
Types of CNC machines
A metal processing machine can fall into one of four categories, depending on its weight. Light machines are those that weigh less than 1 ton, the weight of medium-sized machines - from 1 to 10 tons, heavy units weigh from 10 to 100 tons. A separate category is for devices whose weight exceeds 100 tons, such devices are called unique.
Next, you should pay attention to the fact that a metal processing machine, which has software, can belong to one of five categories in terms of processing accuracy. In this case, there is a letter marking for the machines.
- H stands for normal accuracy.
- The letter P means increased, and B - high precision machining.
- There are class A machines for accuracy. This means that they are particularly accurate.
- The last category is C class machines. They are considered particularly accurate and are considered master class aggregates.
Equipment versatility
It is worth adding that metal processing machines, which have an integrated CNC system, can be used both for a single production of parts and for serial or large-scale. Based on this, another classification of equipment was introduced, which distinguishes all machines among themselves according to their degree of versatility.
- The universal view of machine tools is machines that can produce small batches or single models of elements. Most often they are used in small factories and enterprises.
- Specialized machines are most common in specialized enterprises, as they are able to produce one part of the specified parameters, but to do so in large quantities.
- Special machines are capable of producing one part, but they are used in mass production.
The main components of the machine
Metal processing on CNC machines is distinguished by quality and speed, but if we talk about the design, they are no different from ordinary ones.
Among the main nodes, it is necessary to highlight the base, which, together with the bed, provides the necessary resistance to vibration. The base of the ordinary has a rectangular shape.
As for the bed, for lathes, for example, this element is the main one. It consists of two walls that are interconnected by transverse elements. This is necessary in order to create the necessary strength and rigidity of the structure. In addition, the bed connects other basic elements of the machine.
If we conclude from all that has been said, then we can confidently say that today there is a sufficient number of various machines to provide any production with the necessary equipment.