Design Cloud
Analyze the differences between machining centers and conventional machine tools.
Release Date:
2024-02-27
Conventional CNC machine tools. These machines are of the same general type as traditional universal machine tools, including CNC lathes, milling machines, boring machines, drilling machines, and grinders, each available in multiple variants—for example, CNC milling machines include vertical mills, horizontal mills, tool mills, and gantry mills. The technical feasibility of these machines is similar to that of universal machine tools; however, their key advantage is the ability to machine parts with complex geometries.
According to the machining process, into what categories can machine tools be classified?
1. Conventional CNC machine tools. These machine tools are of the same general types as traditional conventional machine tools, including CNC lathes, milling machines, boring machines, drilling machines, and grinders, each available in multiple variants—for example, CNC milling machines include vertical mills, horizontal mills, tool mills, and gantry mills. The technical feasibility of these machine tools is similar to that of conventional machine tools; the key difference is their ability to machine parts with complex geometries.
2. Multi-axis CNC machine tools. Certain parts with complex geometries cannot be machined on three-axis CNC machines, such as propellers and curved aerospace components. Machining these features requires coordinated motion in three or more axes. Consequently, multi-axis CNC machine tools have been developed. These machines are characterized by a large number of axes controlled by the CNC system and a relatively complex machine structure; the number of axes typically depends on the technical requirements for machining the specific part. Currently, 4-, 5-, and 6-axis CNC machines are commonly used.
3. CNC machining centers. These machine tools have evolved from conventional CNC machines. By equipping a standard CNC machine with a tool magazine capable of holding 10 to over 100 tools and an automatic tool-changing mechanism, a CNC machine with automatic tool changing is created—also known as a multi-operation CNC machine or a boring-milling machining center, commonly referred to as a machining center. This development further advances CNC machines toward greater automation and higher machining speeds.
The key difference between a CNC machining center and a conventional CNC machine tool is that, after the workpiece is clamped once, the CNC system automatically controls the tool changer to perform continuous milling (or turning), boring, and drilling on all machining surfaces of the workpiece, thereby completing multiple operations such as reaming and tapping. Such machines are predominantly turret-type milling centers and are primarily used for machining box-type parts. Compared with ordinary CNC machine tools, they offer the following advantages:
1. Reduces the number of machine tools, simplifies management, and enables all machining operations for multi-process parts to be completed on a single machine, thereby decreasing work-in-progress inventory.
2. The workpiece is clamped only once, thereby reducing positioning errors caused by multiple setups and enabling machining quality to be determined based on the machine tool’s accuracy.
3. Process integration reduces auxiliary time and increases productivity.
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