CNC milling machine processing usually has the following advantages:
1. Flexible and versatile processing:
The biggest characteristic of CNC milling machines is their high flexibility, allowing them to process workpieces of different shapes. They can perform drilling, boring, reaming, flat milling, inclined surface milling, slot milling, contour milling (cam), and thread tapping, among other machining operations.
In general, the required machining processes can be completed in one clamping.
2. High machining accuracy:
Currently, the pulse equivalent of CNC systems is typically 0.001 mm, and high-precision CNC systems can achieve 0.1 μm, ensuring the accuracy of workpieces.
CNC machining also eliminates the human errors that can occur during manual operations, ensuring consistent dimensions for the same batch of machined parts and greatly improving product quality.
Due to their high machining accuracy, CNC milling machines can process complex surfaces that are difficult or impossible to machine with conventional machine tools, making them particularly advantageous for various complex mold machining.
3. High production efficiency:
CNC milling machines generally do not require specialized fixtures or process-specific software. When changing workpieces, it is only necessary to call up the machining program stored in the CNC system, clamp the workpiece, and adjust the tool data, greatly reducing the production cycle time.
Additionally, CNC milling machines combine the functions of milling, drilling, and boring, allowing for highly concentrated operations and significantly improving production efficiency while reducing workpiece positioning errors.
Furthermore, CNC milling machines have infinitely variable spindle speeds and feed rates, allowing for optimal cutting conditions. They also feature rapid traverse, quick return, and rapid positioning functions, significantly reducing machine idle time.
According to statistics, CNC milling machines can increase production efficiency by 3 to 5 times compared to conventional milling machines, and for complex contour machining, production efficiency can be increased by more than tenfold or even several dozen times.
Moreover, the use of CNC milling machines can improve working conditions and greatly reduce labor intensity.
Difference between machining centers and CNC milling machines
Machining centers have evolved from CNC milling machines. The main difference between machining centers and CNC milling machines lies in the ability of machining centers to automatically exchange cutting tools.
By installing different types of tools in the tool magazine, the machining center can change the cutting tools on the spindle during one clamping, enabling multiple machining functions.
A machining center is a highly efficient automated machine tool for processing complex parts, consisting of mechanical equipment and CNC systems. The programming of machining programs is a crucial factor in determining machining quality.
The machining center is a high-efficiency, high-precision CNC machine tool that can complete multiple machining processes in one clamping of the workpiece. It is equipped with a tool magazine and has automatic tool change capabilities. The rich functions of the machining center determine the complexity of program development.
The concept of multi-process concentrated machining has also been extended to other types of CNC machine tools. For example, a turning center is equipped with multiple automatic tool changers on a CNC lathe, allowing control of three or more axes.
In addition to turning, the spindle can be stopped or indexed, and milling, drilling, tapping, and other operations are performed by rotating the tools, making it suitable for processing complex rotating parts.
Machining centers can achieve three-axis or more linkage control to ensure the cutting tools can perform complex surface machining.
In addition to linear and circular interpolation functions, machining centers also feature various fixed cycle machining, tool radius automatic compensation, tool length automatic compensation, display of machining process graphics, human-machine dialogue, automatic fault diagnosis, and offline programming functions.
Similar to CNC milling machines, machining centers consist of various components such as computer numerical control (CNC) systems, servo systems, mechanical structures, and hydraulic systems.
However, machining centers are not the same as CNC milling machines. The biggest difference between machining centers and CNC milling machines lies in the ability of machining centers to automatically exchange tools.
By installing different types of tools in the tool magazine, the machining center can change the cutting tools on the spindle during one clamping, allowing for multiple machining functions such as drilling, boring, reaming, thread tapping, slotting, and more.
