Machining Center
Machining usually refers to performing a mechanical process on a workpiece of any material that changes its physical properties in some way. More commonly it means to use machine tools to shape a workpiece with cutting action.
es on a greater amount of characteristics unique to the project.
Machining Center is nothing but highly automated machine tool capable of performing multiple machining operations under CNC control.
- Automatic tool changer.
- Pallet shuttles.
- Automatic workpart positioning.
A lathe is a device that turns a work piece on a spindle. Cutters are used to make cylindrically symmetrical pieces (think of table legs).
In general, NC (numerically controlled) machines are those in which the position of the cutting head, speed of the spindle, and feed rate of the cutter to the work piece are all controlled by a set of coordinates that are programmed into the machine.
The term CNC (or computer numerically controlled) typically indicates that the desired cut shape is programmed into a computer as a series of splines (curves that a computer can represent as a formula). The computer then translates the splines into position coordinates, and uses those coordinates to feed the machine.
NC and CNC machines can be many numbers of different types. They can be lathes, mills, saws or drill/rout/bore/reaming machines just to name a few.
In general, the difference is that an NC machine requires the user to program in coordinates (x,y,z), while a CNC machine allows the used to import a CAD/CAM file or program a visual curve.
A "horizontal maching center" has a horizontal spindle. With a horizontal spindle, tools stick out the side of the tool holder and cut across the side of a part (workpiece). Horizontal machining centers are far more expensive than equivalent capacity vertical machines, but have several advantages. Usually the tool holder of a horizontal machine is more ridgid. Also,when machining the side of a part, metal chips fall out of the area being cut, leaving an uncluttered cutting area.
A "vertical machining center" has a vertical spindle. With a vertical spindle, tools stick straight down from the tool holder, and often cut across the top of a part. One disadvantage of vertical machining is that when tools cut across the top of a part, the metal shavings, called "chips," often pile up around the tool and interfere with the cutting action. However, vertical machining centers are more common, primarily because they are less expensive than equivalent capacity horizontal machines.
