If you work in a manufacturing shop, chances are you have a vertical machining center. They are very versatile, easy to use, and compared to many other types of machining equipment, relatively low in cost. VMCs have been around for many years, but thanks to technology, they are easier and more versatile than ever. Widely available in many types and sizes, they can perform quickly to cut your overall production cost.
Vertical Machining, which is also called milling, uses rotary cutters to remove metal from a workpiece through a computer controlled drive system. Vertical machining works on a vertical machining center that uses a spindle with a vertical orientation to the table. A vertically oriented spindle has tools that stick straight down from the tool holder and usually cut across the top or through a workpiece. Once done manually, they are now computer programmable, which opens their abilities and allows them to perform more tasks, faster.
Often equipped with automated devices such as tool changers and rotary tables these advancements help maximize the productivity of a VMC saving the operator from the timely tasks of manually changing tools or repositioning the workpiece for further operations.
Most VMC machines have three axes, the X, Y, and Z-axis. The term ‘axis’ stands for a system of positioning controlled by the CNC. A 3 Axis machine refers to the number of motors that can be individually or synchronously driven for positional control of the tool allowing complex contours to be machined.
The Axis are defined in respect to the spindle's orientation and the X-axis moves the table (and workpiece) from left to right. The Y-axis is controls that same table in a front to back motion whereas the Z-axis controls the spindle up and down. On a standard 3-axis VMC, the cutter remains in the vertical direction. In VMC’s additionally there can be a 4th or even 5th axis as well to increase the benefits of the VMC.
The other parts of the VMC are:
There are many advantages to using the VMC as a Milling machine but it also has advantages over it’s sister process, the horizontal machining center.
They are versatile, programable, and inexpensive, which allows you to be more productive.
There are plenty of varieties of machines to choose from, all with various features and options. They also come in a variety of sizes, so what you get will need to depend on what you will be cutting, your purchasing budget and how much floor space you have.
Many of these machines are very well made and are combined with excellent technology to make them easy and fast to use and set up. You can often find quality used VMC’s to save money on your initial investment.
Take a look through our inventory for new and used equipment. If you don’t see what you are looking for, contact one of our sales team. We can always help you find what you need.