What is a Vertical Machining Center

With years of development, vertical machining centers have become multi-functional machines with high precision, high efficiency, etc. Among the processing industries, vertical machining centers are very popular because they are ideal for complex metal processing. Find out more about cnc machining center from here!

VMC Machine Applications & Uses

Vertical machining, also known as milling, use rotary cutters to remove metal from a workpiece. The spindle is oriented vertically, causing the tool to extend straight down from the tool holder and cut across the top of the workpiece. This type of CNC machining center is commonly used in industries that require precise and large-scale production, including aerospace, automobile, instrumentation, light and textile manufacturing, electronic and electrical production, mold creation, military goods, handicrafts and more. It is an ideal option for processing workpieces with intricate shapes or those that require multiple procedures due to its high precision and accuracy.

1. Complex curved parts

Complex curved surface parts have a wide range of applications in industries such as aviation and transportation. These types of parts, including propellers, mold cavities, cams, and integral impellers, are challenging to machine with high precision due to their intricate shapes and closed inner cavities. Traditional machine tools and precision casting methods struggle to achieve the required accuracy. Fortunately, the use of multi-axis vertial machining centers equipped with automatic programming technology and specialized tools can greatly enhance production efficiency and ensure precise shape accuracy, making the manufacturing process of complex parts much simpler.

2. Special or irregular shaped parts

Irregular machined parts with special shapes. When machining special-shaped components, the more complex the shape is, the higher accuracy is required. VMC can produce all these kinds of parts and components.

Advantages of Vertical Machining Center

1. Operator-Friendly – Time Saving

The structural design of the Vertical machining center allows much better visibility while working on these machines. The design can make it much easier for the operators to catch and avoid any potential problems during the milling process. Programming is simple with the CNC controls, and the machine is designed to make securing the workpieces easier; therefore, operators spend less time arranging and programming the machine.

2. Space Saving

The CNC vertical machining center can save a lot of space when compared with a horizontal machining center, vertical machining center occupies only about 1/3 floor space. Because vertical machining center could save lots of space, CNC vertical machining center is ideal for small companies.

3. Higher Productivity

The goal of high productivity is to achieve work in the shortest amount of time without sacrificing quality and with the lowest amount of resources. Automation integration increases the productivity of a vertical machining center by decoupling setup procedures from the machining process.

Vertical Machining Center Features

1. Metal-Cutting Capability

Vertical machining centers have the ability to cut a wide variety of metals. Therefore, spindle is one of the most important features to evaluate on any vertical machining center.

2. Control Software

The control software can facilitate or limit the flexibility of data storage, coordinate systems, probing, and networking of the machine. The operator will spend more time solving problems if the interface is not user-friendly. Complexity wastes operators' time and machine uptime.

3. Automation Integration

The automation integration of CNC VMC machine brings together different versions of automation hardware and software. It combines several subsystems into one large system, which reduces the need for human resource and increases productivity.

4. Operator-Friendly (Ergonomics)

With vertical machining center, you can customize your work environment and feel comfortable and safe while you perform your job. It can also improve operator ergonomics by enabling more time and space for workpiece setup.

5. Productivity Improvement

The spindle utilization of Vertical machining center will be increased and setup and changeover times will be reduced to improve productivity. The automatic function will be improved to increase flexibility and throughput.

Vertical Machining Center vs. Horizontal Machine

1. CNC vertical machining center

Advantage

• Cost-effective

• Easy to operate and maintain

• Doesn’t Require Extensive Facility

Disadvantages

• Hard to handle high weight projects

• Lower production output than HMC

• Lower strength motor than HMC

2. CNC horizontal machining center

Advantage

• Perfect for complex projects

• Faster processing

• High Rigidity

Disadvantages

• Expensive

• Bigger and heavier

• hard to monitor during processing

A Guide to Choose Vertical Machining Center

1. Accuracies expected

Be sure the VMC can meet your accuracy requirements, and in particular, whether the performance of the system or tools will meet your expectations.

2. Production rates required

Achieving ideal production rates requires VMC to produce parts quickly, maintain high quality, and use as little resources as possible.

3. Fixed Costs - Tooling Costs

Regular inspection and replacement of parts is necessary to keep the machine in the best performance and producing high quality products. If the company never inspects machine tool, that would lead to have more defective product, which would cause potential costs for the company.

Conclusion

It's easy to program complex tools with a CNC vertical machining center because it's the most common piece of CNC equipment. A CNC VMC machine is ideal for short runs and small sizes. It can come with a variety of tools and tool changers, magazines, and carousels. JSWAY can help you find your ideal CNC vertical machining center. We are a highly reputed manufacturer of vertical machining centers, so you can let us know your requirements.