Today, the milling machining center is a multi-operation machine with numerical software. The main advantage is the ability to conduct complex machining of 3D parts. For this, the center is equipped with various processing devices.
What is OC
The milling machining center is equipped with many different tools. As well as special devices designed for automatic change of nozzles. Due to this, the performance of such centers is very high. In addition, this equipment allows you to perform both roughing and semi-finishing or finishing.
To date, the simplest milling machining centers contain from 5 to 12 tools in their tool store. Medium models contain 15-30 instruments in their drum. The most advanced multi-operation machines can boast a stock of tools of 50-100 types, and special OCs can have even more. The milling processing center may include an additional desktop or a device for dividing products. The pitch of this dividing device is set in advance. The ability to rotate the workpiece allows it to be processed from several sides, without reinstalling it on the machine.
Application of OTs in production
A metal milling machining center is able to work with the part by rotating it in three axes. The accuracy of movement along these axes is ensured by the presence of a special servo drive, as well as a CNC system. This function is considered to be built-in. In addition to them, in some models of the OC there are additional functions that allow you to calibrate and change the position of both the tool and the part.
Further, it is worth noting that a CNC drilling and milling machining center is expensive equipment. For this reason, it is usually used only for work with those blanks that are characterized by high technological complexity of manufacturing. One such machining center is capable of replacing approximately three to five CNC machines or five to ten universal machines.
Description of vertical machines
One of the most common types of multioperational machines is vertical milling machining centers. These devices have a higher performance. This is due to the fact that this type of equipment has an increased processing speed. As a result, the heating temperature in the processing zone, as well as the part and the tool itself, increases. To combat this drawback, vertical type machines have a coolant supply system, which can be supplied in two ways. The first option is fluid delivery through external flexible hoses, the second is fluid flow through the device spindle.
It is worth noting that the last cooling option, the spindle-tool-part, is considered the most effective and allows you to increase the processing speed of the part and the accuracy of work.
Characteristics and operation of the vertical center
The main difference between a vertical multi-operation machine and a conventional milling machine is that it moves the spindle directly along the guide columns, and not a table, like a conventional machine. In this case, for vertical OTs, the guide rails of the table rest on the bed, which, in turn, stands on the foundation. This design allowed to achieve greater rigidity, as well as increase the accuracy of processing. This advantage in practice has led to the fact that vertical milling machines are often used to process parts with large mass and dimensions.
As for the automatic change of working tools, vertical types of machines usually have from 24 to 30 positions. Such a number of places is associated with the design of the drum, which is very similar to a revolver. The axis of rotation can be horizontal or vertical. The diameter, and therefore the number of positions, in such a store depends on the depth of the machine.
However, if caterpillar or belt type changers are used, diameter restrictions can be avoided.
Description of horizontal types of machines
Another popular variety. In this case, it is a horizontal milling machining center. In some situations, you just can not do without it. But, as practice shows, their use is limited, and usually depends on several factors, such as structural and strength characteristics of the part, processing features, the need for coolant drainage, as well as chips from the cutting site. It is they who force the use of such a machine. In some cases, it is much more convenient than vertical.
The main advantages of horizontal appliances
Today, there are three main advantages that a horizontal machine has:
- The horizontal position of the spindle is itself considered an advantage due to the fact that in this position the chips do not accumulate in large quantities at the cutting site. In addition, the horizontal version of the spindle has greater rigidity, and also it has a system to counter vibrations.
- The second advantage - the desktop is made of two pallets, there is a fourth coordinate: the ability to rotate the part in the horizontal plane in increments of 1 or 0.001 degrees. The second pallet saves time on the removal and installation of a new part. This item goes to the first line in the case of mass production. In addition, the ability to rotate the table will allow you to process the workpiece from all sides.
- The third feature and advantage is the horizontal position of the spindle itself and the ability to use a track type changer. In the case of using not two wheels, but their larger number, it becomes possible to equip a caterpillar with a complex construction. Its peculiarity is that it is small in volume, but at the same time allows you to place 40, 90 and even 120 positions.
Otherwise, both vertical and horizontal types of equipment are intended for the complex processing of workpieces made of ferrous or non-ferrous metals.
Turning and Milling OC
Turning and milling machining center today is popular not only in industry but also in everyday life. Naturally, its power is significantly lower, as are the dimensions. But at the same time, such centers are still capable of performing both turning and milling, and at a very high level.
It is worth noting that on this type of machine it is possible to carry out drilling and milling. The old turret turning models had little mobility of the turret, and therefore were not widely used. The turning and milling center of the new development is devoid of such a drawback.
C-axis turning and milling equipment
A machine with such an axis became one of the first centers that could perform milling and turning operations. The main difference from previous models was that each drill and mill had its own drive, a rotating tool.
The center option with the C-axis allows you to control the speed of rotation of the tools, as well as, according to experts, monitor the angular position of the part. In this case, the accuracy of indexing the angle will be less than 0.001 degrees.
Based on the foregoing, we can understand why the machining centers of these species have received such widespread popularity.