What is a CNC Machining Center?

The CNC machine tool center is an advanced manufacturing machine tool that can perform a variety of machining operations with high precision, high quality and high surface finish. A CNC machine tool center can perform drilling, milling and lathe operations.

The manufacture of prismatic parts in the industry, such as gearboxes, partitions, frames, covers, etc., requires different types of operations such as milling, boring, drilling, tapping and many other related machining operations. In the past, this production process had to be divided into many working stages, and the operation on different machine tools was able to produce a finished product, which was resulted in a large amount of delivery time and cost. In order to overcome this problem, a CNC machine tool center was developed. Milling, lathing and drilling operations on a single machine tool allows one machine to perform a greater variety of machining needs.
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The main purpose of the CNC machine center is to reduce production time and advanced mechanisms in the CNC machine center. The mechanism used is as follows:

• ATC (automatic tool changer)
• APC (automatic pallet changer)
• CNC servo system
• Feedback system
• Re-circulating ball screw and nut

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CNC machine center are classified according to configuration as:

1. Horizontal Machine Center
2. Vertical Machine Centers
3. Universal Machining Centers

Horizontal Machining Center
The machining center has a horizontal spindle and the tool is mounted on the spindle of the machine, usually a single spindle machine with an automatic tool changer. The ATC consists of a replaceable magazine that can store multiple tools and hold approximately 16 to 100 tool capacities. In order to reduce loading and unloading time, an automatic pallet changer (APC) can be installed. The APC consists of six, eight or more pallets, the work piece can be set in the pallet, and the machine can be programmed to complete the previous pallet. After working, change another new tray. Different programs may be required for different work pieces. Due to the high material removal rate in the process, the cutting tool volume is usually large, so the tool magazine requires a large position on each tool, and the relative weight is getting heavier. Some machine tools also have additional functions for rotating the entire spindle so that the horizontal axis of the spindle becomes vertical, allowing for different operating techniques.

Vertical Machining Center
In this type of machine, multiple jobs can be done in a single setup. Most vertical machining centers have three axes, and some have the function of a spindle head that can be rotated on one or two axes.

In order to process the engraving surface, the vertical machining center is most suitable for the mold and mold processing industry. The main types of vertical machining centers are as follows: walking columns, gantry structures and multi-spindles.
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Universal Machine Center
The universal machine center is similar to a horizontal machining center, but the spindle shaft can be continuously tilted from a horizontal position to a vertical position under computer control. The universal machine center consists of five or more axes that allow the top surface of the work piece to be mounted on a horizontal machining center so that different sides of the work piece can be machined in one unit.
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Article Source: slideshare