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Milling Machine Basics: A Comprehensive Guide

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The milling machine is a widely used machine tool, and its main motion is the rotational movement of the milling cutter, while the feed motion is generally the movement of the workpiece driven by the worktable.

There are many types of milling machines, including:

  • Horizontal milling machines
  • Vertical milling machines
  • Gantry milling machines
  • Tool milling machines
  • Keyway milling machines

Main Components of a Horizontal Milling Machine

(1) Bed

The bed is the main body of the machine tool, with most components installed on it.

The spindle, spindle speed changing mechanism, and other parts are installed inside the bed.

The front wall of the bed has vertical dovetail guide rails for the up and down movement of the table, while the top of the bed has horizontal dovetail guide rails for the forward and backward movement of the crossbeam.

At the back of the bed, there is a main motor that drives the spindle through a speed changing mechanism installed inside the bed.

The spindle speed is changed using a handle and a dial scale, both of which are located on the upper left side of the bed. It is necessary to stop when changing speeds.

An electrical cabinet is located at the lower left side of the bed.

  1. Bed
  2. Main drive motor
  3. Spindle speed changing mechanism
  4. Spindle
  5. Crossbeam
  6. Cutter arbor
  7. Overhead crane
  8. Longitudinal worktable
  9. Rotary table
  10. Cross worktable
  11. Lifting platform

(2) Crossbeam

The crossbeam can be adjusted for length by moving it forward or backward with the help of gears and racks, and can be clamped using two sets of eccentric bolts.

A bracket is installed on the crossbeam to support the overhanging end of the cutter bar, which enhances the rigidity of the cutter bar.

(3) Table

It is the support for the worktable, with the longitudinal worktable, transverse worktable and rotary table of the milling machine mounted on it.

The feed motor and feed speed changing mechanism are independent components installed on the front left side of the table, which control the movement of the table, longitudinal worktable and transverse worktable.

The change of the feed rate is controlled by a mushroom-shaped handle, which allows for speed changes while driving.

The table can move along the vertical dovetail guide rails of the bed. Below the table is a vertical lead screw, which not only raises and lowers the table but also supports it.

The manipulation of the transverse worktable and the lifting table is controlled by handles on the left side of the lifting table.

There are two linked handles that have five positions: up, down, forward, backward and stop. The five positions are interlocked.

(4) Longitudinal worktable

It is used to install workpieces or fixtures and moves longitudinally with the workpiece during feed motion.

There are three T-slots on top of the longitudinal worktable for installing clamp bolts (T-bolts). One of these three T-slots has higher accuracy than the other two. There is also a small T-slot on the front side of the worktable for installing travel limit blocks.

The width of the longitudinal worktable is the main specification that indicates the size of the milling machine.

(5) Transverse worktable

The transverse worktable is located below the longitudinal worktable and is used to drive the longitudinal worktable to move back and forth.

With the longitudinal worktable, transverse worktable, and lifting table, the workpiece can be moved in three mutually perpendicular coordinate directions to meet machining requirements.

There is a rotary table between the longitudinal worktable and transverse worktable of the universal milling machine. Its sole purpose is to allow the longitudinal worktable to rotate within a positive or negative angle not exceeding 45 degrees in the horizontal plane, in order to mill helical grooves.

The presence or absence of a rotary table is the only distinguishing feature between universal horizontal milling machines and ordinary horizontal milling machines.

(6) Spindle

The spindle is used to install milling cutters either directly or through a cutter arbor, and drives the milling cutter to rotate. The spindle is a hollow shaft with a 7:24 tapered hole at the front end for installing milling cutters or cutter arbors.

A long bolt passes through the spindle through-hole from the back to fasten the milling cutters or cutter arbors in place.

The base supports the entire weight of the milling machine and holds the cutting fluid. It is the foundation of the entire milling machine and is designed to ensure that the machine is stable and rigid during operation.

In addition, there are also auxiliary devices such as the crane and cutter arbor.

X6132 universal horizontal lifting table milling machine.

(1) Milling machine model and specifications.

(2) Main technical parameters:

The working surface area of the table is 320mm x 1250mm, and the maximum travel of the table (manual) is 700mm longitudinally, 255mm transversely, and 320mm vertically. The maximum travel of the table (automatic) is 680mm longitudinally, 240mm transversely, and 300mm vertically.

The maximum rotation angle of the table is ±45°, and the distance from the spindle axis to the worktable surface is 30mm to 350mm. The spindle speed has 18 levels ranging from 30rpm to 1500rpm.

Vertical lifting table milling machine.

The vertical milling machine is similar to the horizontal milling machine in many ways. However, it differs in that it has no top guide rail or crossbeam on the bed.

Instead, the front upper part of the machine has a vertical milling head, which is used to install the spindle and milling cutter.

Usually, a rotary table is placed between the bed and the vertical milling head in a vertical milling machine, which allows the spindle to tilt at a certain angle for milling inclined surfaces. The vertical milling machine can also be used for boring holes.

Milling Machine Accessories

b) Tilting worktable

c) Rotary worktable.

d) Plain vise

e) Dividing head.

f) Vertical milling head.

g) Insert Milling Tool

1. Flat-Nose Pliers

Also known as a machine vise, these pliers are commonly used for holding small to medium-sized workpieces of rectangular or cylindrical shape. Pliers that feature a rotating dial are called rotary flat-nose pliers, which can be used to adjust angles.

This method is commonly used for installing small, regularly-shaped workpieces.

2. Rotary Table

This tool is used for clamping workpieces that require machining of curved surfaces. It is particularly useful for milling relatively uniform inner and outer circular arc surfaces.

3. Universal Milling Cutter

To expand the processing range of horizontal milling machines. Installing a universal milling head on a horizontal milling machine not only allows for various vertical milling operations, but also enables the milling cutter axis to be adjusted to any angle based on the milling needs.

However, due to the complicated installation of the universal milling head and the significant reduction in workspace after installation, its utilization is limited.

4. Universal Dividing Head

The application of a dividing head:

As one of the important accessories, the dividing head is commonly used for installing workpieces to mill inclined surfaces, conduct indexing operations, and by using various indexing methods (such as simple indexing, compound indexing, and differential indexing) for various indexing tasks.

Additionally, the dividing head can be utilized to install the workpiece at the required angle to facilitate cutting processing (such as milling inclined surfaces). When milling helical grooves, the dividing head can be connected to the milling machine’s longitudinal table screw with an “exchange gear” to provide the workpiece on the dividing head with spiral motion while the table moves.

Milling Cutter

Milling cutter is a multi-tooth tool that is generally produced by specialized factories due to its complex structure. Due to the high number of teeth that participate in cutting at the same time and the ability to use high cutting speeds, it has a higher productivity.

There are many types of milling cutters and various ways to classify them, including by usage, combination method, tooth profile shape, etc. Here, we will primarily introduce the classification by usage.

Types of Milling Cutters

Classification of Milling Cutters by Usage:

  • Cylindrical Milling Cutter
  • End Mill Cutter
  • Disc Milling Cutter
  • Saw Blade Milling Cutter
  • Face Milling Cutter
  • Keyway Milling Cutter
  • Angle Milling Cutter
  • Form Milling Cutter

Face milling cutter

  • a. Used for machining flat surfaces on vertical milling machines
  • b. Each tooth of the face milling cutter is similar to a lathe cutting tool, and the teeth are made of hard alloy.
  • c. The main cutting edge of the milling cutter is distributed at one end of the milling cutter.
  • d. The axis is perpendicular to the surface being machined during operation.

Cylindrical milling cutter

The cylindrical milling cutter is generally made of high-speed steel as a whole. The spiral cutting edge is distributed on the surface of the cylinder without secondary cutting edge. The spiral teeth gradually cut into and leave the workpiece during the cutting process, so the cutting process is relatively stable.

It is mainly used for machining narrow and long surfaces with a width less than the length of the milling cutter on horizontal milling machines.

Disc milling cutter

The disc milling cutter includes:

  • Slot milling cutter
  • Double-end milling cutter
  • Three-edge milling cutter

Slot milling cutter. It only has teeth on the surface of the cylinder and can only be used for machining shallow grooves.

Keyway milling cutter

A. It is a special cutting tool for milling keyways, with only two flutes.

B. Both the circumferential cutting edge and the end cutting edge can serve as the main cutting edge.

C. When in use, the cutter enters the workpiece first through axial feed, then mills out the keyway along the direction of the keyway.

D. Only the end cutting edge needs to be ground during regrinding.

End mill

The difference between Twist Drills, Face Milling Cutters, and Keyway Milling Cutters:

Saw blade milling cutter

Saw blade milling cutters are mainly used to cut or mill narrow grooves to a certain depth.

Angle milling cutter

Single and double angle milling cutters are used for milling grooves and bevels on workpieces.

Form milling cutter

Form milling cutters are used for machining contoured surfaces, and the shape of the cutter teeth is designed to match the contour shape of the workpiece surface being machined.

Classification of milling cutters by the shape of their tooth back:

1. Pointed tooth milling cutter

The back of the pointed tooth milling cutter is mostly linear and is milled by an angle milling cutter. This type of milling cutter is always of pointed design. It can be easily manufactured and sharpened, and can be reground along the rear cutting surface after it becomes dull. This type of milling cutter has a sharp blade edge.

2. Shaped-tooth milling cutter.

The back of a shaped-tooth milling cutter is a special curve, usually an Archimedean spiral. The tooth back is machined by the shaving method. After the tooth becomes dull, it can be reground along the front cutting surface.

The shape of the milling cutter teeth remains unchanged after regrinding. This type of milling cutter is commonly used for machining complex cutting edge shapes of form milling cutters.

Shank milling cutter:

1) End mill cutter

The teeth of the milling cutter are distributed on the end face and cylindrical surface of the cutter. It is often used to machine flat surfaces on a vertical milling machine and can also be used to machine flat surfaces on a horizontal milling machine.

2) Face mill cutter

It is suitable for milling contour surfaces, end faces, inclined planes, grooves, and step surfaces, etc.

3) Keyway milling cutter and T-slot milling cutter

It is specifically used for machining keyways and T-slots.

4) Dovetail milling cutter

It is specifically used for milling dovetail grooves.

Milling cutter with holes:

The Scope of Milling Machining

Milling is a high productivity machining method. Usually, the milling precision can reach IT9 to IT8, and the surface roughness Ra value can reach 6.3 to 1.6μm.

Milling has a wide range of processing capabilities, including milling flat surfaces, steps, grooves, forming surfaces, helical grooves, gear tooth surfaces, cutting, and engraving lines. In addition, hole machining tools such as drills, reamers, and boring bars can be installed on the milling machine to process holes on workpieces.

Milling Methods

Conventional milling and climb milling

Definition: When the direction of rotation of the milling cutter is opposite to the feed direction of the workpiece, it is called conventional milling. When they are in the same direction, it is called climb milling.

Characteristics:

1. When conventional milling, the cutting thickness gradually increases from zero.

Due to the influence of the blunt edge radius, the front angle is negative at the beginning of cutting. The teeth are squeezed and skid on the workpiece surface, resulting in severe surface hardening and increased tooth wear.

On the other hand, when climb milling, the cutting thickness starts from maximum. The tool wear is less and the durability is high.

2. When climb milling, the cutting force in the feed direction is the same as that of the workpiece.

Due to the clearance between the screw and nut of the worktable, when the feed force gradually increases, the cutting force will pull the worktable and cause creep, resulting in uneven feed.

In severe cases, it can cause the milling cutter to break.

However, when conventional milling, due to the action of the feed force, the transmission surface between the screw and nut is always in close contact, so the milling process is relatively stable.

3. When conventional milling, the vertical cutting force is opposite to the clamping force and the weight of the workpiece, which tends to lift the workpiece off the worktable, exacerbating vibration and affecting the clamping and surface roughness of the workpiece.

On the other hand, when climb milling, the vertical cutting force is downward, resulting in reliable tightening.

Characteristics of climb milling:

  • Chips start thick and the milling cutter is more durable;
  • Milling force presses down on the workpiece, resulting in stable and less vibration;
  • The machine tool has creep, but is susceptible to surface burnishing;
  • Compared to conventional milling, it is suitable for precision machining.

Characteristics of conventional milling:

  • Chip thickness increases from thin to thick;
  • Initial cutting causes teeth squeezing, sliding and increased tool wear;
  • Milling force eliminates machine table creep;
  • Conventional milling is used to prevent surface burnishing and creep.

Symmetrical milling and asymmetrical milling

1. Symmetrical milling:

The milling cutter axis is located in the middle of the machined surface during milling, which is called symmetrical milling. Symmetrical milling generally has a larger average cutting thickness and is commonly used for workpieces with wide machining surfaces and hardened steel.

2. Asymmetrical milling:

Milling with the milling cutter axis located on one side of the machined surface is called non-symmetrical milling. Depending on the position of the milling cutter axis, it can be further divided into conventional non-symmetrical milling and climb non-symmetrical milling.

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