Classifications Of Machining Centers : Working Principe and Operation

Classifications Of Machining Centers: Working Principe and Operation

Machining Centers

In this article, we will learn about Classifications Of Machining Centers: Working Principe and Operation. It is called a machining center as it has a milling machine capable of performing all operations like Milling, Drilling, Reaming, Tapping, Boring, Counter boring.

Machining centers are the most important type of CNC machine. This is considered to be the most important machining as it can perform many types of operations on a single machine.

The Automatic Tool Changer (ATC) is located in the machining center to change the tools automatically and quickly. With this ATC you can change tools and perform different operations on machines without the help of an operator.

The machining center machining operation is performed by moving the tool and slide in numerical control mode on three to eight axes.

Classification of Machining centers

Machining centers according to spindle positions are classified as follows.

1. Horizontal machining centers
2. Vertical machining centers
3. Universal machining centers

1. Horizontal Machining Centers

In this machine, the spindle is in a horizontal position so it is horizontal matching
called the center. The structure of this machining center can be seen in the picture.

• It is a machining center with a single spindle.
• It has an ATC facility for the automatic conversion of tools.
• There is a tool magazine for storing tools for operations. It can store 60 to 120 tools.
• There will also be an automatic pallet changer for moving jobs automatically. The table
• is moved in the X-axis direction to move the tool longitudinal.
• The Y-axis is a parrel to the axis of the spindle head.
• The saddle or column or headstock moves on the Z-axis.

Axis convention of Horizontal machining center

On identical machines such as drilling, boring, and milling, the tool movement in the X and Y directions is determined by the table. You can see this in the picture.

Parts                                   Direction.                                               Co.cordinate axis

Table                                Left to right.                                                       X +

Movement                        Right to left.                                                       X –

Table                            Moves downward.                                                  Z –
                                    Moves upward.                                                        Z +

Table                           Moves towards column                                           Y +
                                    Moves away from column                                       Y –

2. Vertical Machining Centers

This machine is called a Vertical machining center because the spindle is in a vertical position. The structure of this machining center can be seen in the picture.

• It can be a single spindle or multi-spindle machining center.
• This is also a bed type machining center.
• It may also have a multi-spindle with a turret head with an ATC feature.
• The table moves left and right on the X-axis
• Moving the table away from column 2 is the Y-axis
• Tool i.e. spindle moving up and down is the Z-axis.
• These machines may have a rotary indexing table to rotate the job.
• In addition to the X, Y, Z axis, there may be A, BC axis
• Machines that are too wide are not suitable for machining.

Advantages of Verticle Machining Center

• Flexibility is high.
• The job can be loaded and unloaded automatically
• Tool changing time is less as there is an ATC that can change the tool automatically
• The tool can detect breakage.

3. Universal Machining Centers

The Universal Machining Center is a machining center that combines all the options of both horizontal and vertical machining center with additional accessories.

The spindle can be machined by placing the spindle in the desired direction i.e. vertical or horizontal or at a specific angle.