A vertical machining center is an automated industrial machine used to perform various types of machining through the installation of Computer Numerical Control (CNC), which requires minimal human intervention, with manual handling.
This machinery is generally used to perform cutting, molding, or machining of metals, plastics, wood, among other materials. This mechanism increases industrial production capacity at higher speeds.
There are machining centers of various sizes and for different purposes, although all are equipped with a rotating head that works from the top of the material downwards, performing cuts, through rotation, on the workpiece. With this machine, quality, reliable, and highly functional parts are achieved, as it is characterized by being a very precise tool.
When do we need a vertical machining center?
The types of services performed by a vertical machining center are required by companies that need a tool that makes rotary cuts, among them we can mention:
- Manufacturing industry: production of injection molds, dies, parts, etc.
- Automotive: manufacturing of parts and complete pieces for the interior and exterior of the engine, such as blocks, carburetors, or molds and dies for bodywork and accessories.
- Electronics: parts for printed circuit prototype.
- Aeronautics: Production of parts and components for airplanes or drones, among others. Includes both structural parts of the aircraft such as fuselage, flaps, and other elements.
- Aerospace: Machining of all types of special alloys for satellites, rockets, and other types of aircraft. From Inconel to titanium alloys can be machined with CNC machining centers.
- Medical and dental industry: manufacturing of orthopedic parts for various specialties, including: stainless turning, closures, dental implants, prostheses, crowns, turned parts for the machines and tools used by dentists.
- Energy: high-precision machined parts for wind turbines.
- Appliances: manufacturing of industrial parts for the repair of household appliances and discontinued industrial appliances, as it is very difficult to obtain the original parts.
- Hardware: manufacture of parts for custom or industrial furniture. Components of various sizes for hardware, as well as elements for metal doors, frames, among others.
- Textile industry: production of various pieces: zippers, buckles, buttons, button panels, as well as specific cuts are made on soles, belts, and special shapes on earrings.
- Construction: production of closures, frames and windows, parts of a door, among others.
- Lighting: turning for manufacturing decorative and functional elements for lamps, fixtures and urban lighting.
There are countless sectors that need these vertical machining centers to produce functional parts for their business. Only a blueprint is required to manufacture any type of part.
Characteristics of vertical machining centers
- They are very versatile and flexible machines with a high degree of automation, making them ideal for performing multiple machining operations on a single piece.
- They have the ability to quickly change their configuration and work on various tasks with a single piece.
- They can perform milling, as well as drilling and tapping functions with high precision.
- They offer an excellent surface finish to the manufactured pieces, ideal for giving them their final shape.
- They are ideal for mass production, thanks to the uniformity they provide in production.
- They have a high manufacturing speed, because they can perform many operations automatically on each piece being processed.
Advantages of the vertical machining center
Vertical spindle machining centers have a rotating head and generally work on the top of the piece. This type of machinery provides great rigidity and manufactures pieces with excellent dimensional precision. Additionally, it has a series of advantages:
- It is an excellent cooling system that provides stability to the piece by regulating the temperature.
- Time saving thanks to the automatic tool change.
- Reduction of accidents, since human participation is minimal.
- It does not require much training for the operator.
- The machine can perform various operations simultaneously.
- It can operate 24 hours a day.
- No need for prototyping because there is software that simulates the design production before actual manufacturing.
- High precision of the process.
- It can perform complex processes.
There is a wide variety of machining center models available on the market that provide the possibility of working on both small and large pieces regardless of the quantity.
This type of machines help find solutions adapted to each sector in a reliable and safe manner. Find the one that best suits your needs and enjoy unmatched production.
Other types of machining
In addition to the vertical machining center, there are other types that are distinguished from each other according to their functionality, degrees of automation, and size.
Horizontal spindle machining centers
They are used to work with tall and large pieces, which need to be machined in various parts.
Chip removal machining
It has a cutting tool that produces metal chips. It is ideal for roughing processes aimed at quickly removing a large amount of material.
Non-chip removal machining
It is used to transform any piece, regardless of its complexity.
Abrasive machining
It consists of removing material by wearing down the piece. This process requires less force to remove materials, however, it is slower than other types of machining.
