Machining centres are among the most versatile numerically controlled machine tools ever. Machining centres are
machines that allow multiple machining operations within the same work cycle, considerably reducing the time... required to produce the workpiece and the time required to set up the machine. The main
common features to all machining centres are the presence of a milling head (spindle) on which the cutting tool will be housed, a table on which the workpiece is locked and a tool magazine that allows
total automation of the machining cycle. The machining centres differ from lathes for the simple reason that in this case the piece will be fixed on the table while the rotary motion that allows the
removal of the material will be entrusted to the tool. There are different types of machining centres and they differ according to the number of axes, dimensions, spindle orientation, power and
structure. Depending on whether the spindle is oriented vertically or horizontally we will have vertical machining centres or horizontal machining centres. The vertical machining centres in their
traditional standard configuration have 3 axes, of which 2 axes (x-axis and y-axis) on the table that determine the longitudinal and transverse movements and one axis (z-axis) on the cutter head
that determines the vertical movement. In order to allow machining on more complex pieces and machining on more sides of the same piece, thus avoiding repositioning of the same with consequent
loss of time, we can find machining centres with 4, 5 or more axes. Normally the 4 and 5 axes are rotation axes present on the table and on the milling head. Multi-axis centres differ essentially
in the type of axis positioning, you can have machining centres with 4 or 5 continuous axes or machining centres with 4 and 5 only positioned axes. In the latter case the 4 and 5 axes will not move
during workpiece machining, while in the case of continuous axes the machine will be able to draw even very complex geometries during the machining cycle, being able to move all the axes simultaneously.
Another important distinction lies in the structural configuration of the machining centres and the configuration of the traditional movement axes (x,y, and z axes). In order to allow the machining
of medium-large and heavy workpieces, some machining centre configurations provide for a redistribution of the axes movement on the milling head instead than on the table, unloading the movement
task of the table and consequently increasing its capacity to allow the clamping of even very heavy workpieces. This particular technical solution allows the machining centres to maintain very
high execution speeds even when machining heavy pieces. These machining centres are called travelling column machining centres. A further classification to underline is linked to the presence or
absence of the pallet changer, which allows an even greater degree of automation, allowing machining in masked time. In this way, the operator can equip a second pallet with the workpiece while
the machine is still running. Once the work has been carried out, the machining centre will simply transfer the pallet with the finished workpiece out of the working area and transfer the pallet
with the next workpiece inside it. This solution minimises machine downtime due to machine set-up. Horizontal machining centres, on the other hand, are ideal machines for the mass production of
medium-large workpieces and always require the presence of the pallet changer in addition to the automatic tool changer and the horizontal spindle. The pallet changer in horizontal machining
centres is always present in its standard double pallet configuration, for more important mass production and to guarantee greater autonomy, it is possible to provide an automatic multi-pallet
device capable of accommodating 6 or more pallets.
Machining centres are among the most versatile numerically controlled machine tools ever. Machining centres are
machines that allow multiple machining operations within the same work cycle, considerably reducing the time required to produce the workpiece and the time required to set up the machine. The main
common features to all machining centres are the presence of a milling head (spindle)... on which the cutting tool will be housed, a table on which the workpiece is locked and a tool magazine that allows
total automation of the machining cycle. The machining centres differ from lathes for the simple reason that in this case the piece will be fixed on the table while the rotary motion that allows the
removal of the material will be entrusted to the tool. There are different types of machining centres and they differ according to the number of axes, dimensions, spindle orientation, power and
structure. Depending on whether the spindle is oriented vertically or horizontally we will have vertical machining centres or horizontal machining centres. The vertical machining centres in their
traditional standard configuration have 3 axes, of which 2 axes (x-axis and y-axis) on the table that determine the longitudinal and transverse movements and one axis (z-axis) on the cutter head
that determines the vertical movement. In order to allow machining on more complex pieces and machining on more sides of the same piece, thus avoiding repositioning of the same with consequent
loss of time, we can find machining centres with 4, 5 or more axes. Normally the 4 and 5 axes are rotation axes present on the table and on the milling head. Multi-axis centres differ essentially
in the type of axis positioning, you can have machining centres with 4 or 5 continuous axes or machining centres with 4 and 5 only positioned axes. In the latter case the 4 and 5 axes will not move
during workpiece machining, while in the case of continuous axes the machine will be able to draw even very complex geometries during the machining cycle, being able to move all the axes simultaneously.
Another important distinction lies in the structural configuration of the machining centres and the configuration of the traditional movement axes (x,y, and z axes). In order to allow the machining
of medium-large and heavy workpieces, some machining centre configurations provide for a redistribution of the axes movement on the milling head instead than on the table, unloading the movement
task of the table and consequently increasing its capacity to allow the clamping of even very heavy workpieces. This particular technical solution allows the machining centres to maintain very
high execution speeds even when machining heavy pieces. These machining centres are called travelling column machining centres. A further classification to underline is linked to the presence or
absence of the pallet changer, which allows an even greater degree of automation, allowing machining in masked time. In this way, the operator can equip a second pallet with the workpiece while
the machine is still running. Once the work has been carried out, the machining centre will simply transfer the pallet with the finished workpiece out of the working area and transfer the pallet
with the next workpiece inside it. This solution minimises machine downtime due to machine set-up. Horizontal machining centres, on the other hand, are ideal machines for the mass production of
medium-large workpieces and always require the presence of the pallet changer in addition to the automatic tool changer and the horizontal spindle. The pallet changer in horizontal machining
centres is always present in its standard double pallet configuration, for more important mass production and to guarantee greater autonomy, it is possible to provide an automatic multi-pallet
device capable of accommodating 6 or more pallets.
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