Main Functions and Configurations of CNC Machining Centres
25 January 2022A wide array of machining processes can now be maximised by manufacturers that intend to produce and yield a lot of parts and products. Some of these processes include turning, drilling, and milling.
In the past, these processes are only conducted manually. Hence, workers must manually operate the tools used for these processes, which can be dangerous at times. The manual operation of the tools can likewise force manufacturers to spend more resources to make everything safe. But perhaps, one advantage of manual machining processes is that they can be cheaper than their automated counterpart.
Automated machining processes, alternatively, utilise computer numerical control (CNC) machining centres to ensure that everything works. Generally, CNC machining centres can conveniently cater to a wide array of machining capabilities, reducing upkeep needs and improving production.
Main Functions of CNC Machining Centres
CNC machining centres can be mostly found in manufacturing sites today. Unlike manual tools that are used for machining before, CNC machining centres already integrate everything under one command. Hence, different parts and products can already be processed by the CNC machining centres in one go. For instance, parts and products that are needed by the automotive industry for the engine can easily be drilled and ground with these machining centres.
And if the tool needed for a specific operation must be changed, operators can now easily exchange it with the CNC machining centres. They typically have a change arm that can conveniently exchange tools from a tool magazine. This function is far different from the conventional processes, wherein operators must manually exchange the tool to proceed with the subsequent machining process.
Aside from conducting processes and exchanging tools conveniently, CNC machining centres can now produce complex parts and products. Thanks to the introduction of more CNC machining centre configurations, manufacturers can now produce them that take a long time to process before.
Configurations of CNC Machining Centres
To date, there are three configurations of CNC machining centres that manufacturers can maximise. These configurations are as follows:
- Horizontal Machining Centre– A horizontal machining centre maximises a horizontal spindle where a tool can be found. It likewise utilises an automatic tool changer, which is comprised of a replaceable magazine that can hold up to 100 tool capacities. An automatic pallet changer can then be installed to minimise loading and unloading times.
- Vertical Machining Centre– A vertical machining centre, alternatively, mostly has three axes. What is great about this specific configuration is that it can handle multiple jobs in just one setup, making it very useful for the mould processing industry. A vertical machining centre can be grouped into multiple types, mainly, walking columns, gantry structures, and multi-spindles.
- Universal Machine Centre– A universal machine centre may be similar to a horizontal machining centre. However, the former has a spindle shaft that can be tilted continuously from a horizontal to a vertical position. It has five or more axes that allow the mounting of the workpiece. These axes likewise allow the universal machine centre to process the workpiece on various sides.
To know more about CNC machining centres, you can call us at Kinetic Engineering NSW.
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