Most moving metal parts cannot be die cast with the same degree of fine detail that can be achieved with a metal milling machine. Earlier equipment was manually controlled, and therefore subject to its fair share of human error. The introduction of computer numerical control (CNC) processes has revolutionized the industry and more finely shaped and complex parts and components are now possible. The metal milling machine is simply programmed, and it can then do almost any kind of cut. It will also tell you when its tool needs to be changed.
Most metal machining involves a flat surface. However, a mill can also be set to produce an irregular, but defined, surface, or even complicated, three-dimensional shapes. A typical design, however, utilizes a multi-toothed cutting bit in various shapes, which is then fed into a work piece that has been fastened to a computer-controlled moving table.
Types of Milling Machine
Milling machines are grouped according to their degree of motion and their orientation to their work piece. The most common type of metal milling machine is the vertical spindle. This is similar in operation to an industrial power drill, and is used to bore holes and slots into metal, or to cut out intricate shapes for gears, for example.
Other types include:
* Plain Vertical And Horizontal – the tooling assembly is usually fixed to a turret and swivel, which allow the tool to move freely and enforce tight tolerances. These are used for cutting key-hole shapes, for example.
* Universal Horizontal – has a swivel housing, allowing the table to move out 45 degrees from the horizontal position.
* Knee-Type – a vertical workspace supported by a “knee”, or adjustable vertical casting.
* Ram Type – allows the tooling a greater range of space in relation to the work piece.
* Swivel Head Cutter Ram-Type – this allows the machine to rotate from completely vertical to completely horizontal.
* End mills – for cutting slots and pockets
* Fluted end mills – for plunge work
* Ball end mills – for fillet cutting
Metal milling is costly. The cutting bits are very expensive, as they have to be extensively hardened in order to repeatedly cut into metals such as stainless steel and aluminum.
We Know Milling
Kaufman Manufacturing Company has been designing and building machines for a wide variety of applications for over 85 years. To see how this experience has helped us become one of the best in the business, visit us
