33 Main Parts of CNC Milling Machine you should Know

CNC milling machine is an automated controlled machine equipped with cutting and drilling instruments for finishing the milling process. These machines use their rotating tools to eliminate materials from the workpiece, producing milled parts with various shapes, dimensions, openings, and slots, with affordable price.

Various Main Parts of CNC Milling Machine

Various types of parts of the CNC milling machine include:

1. Frame

This component is usually crafted from cast iron, offering support for the machine as well as dealing with the developments and vibrations created during its activity. The frames excel in vibration absorption, due to its excellent vibrating-damping properties making it highly suitable for this aspect.

2. Columns

CNC milling machines are made up of a single [e.g. voyaging column HiRex 4000] or twofold [ SIRIUS 1250/2500/L1/L2] depending on the degree of intricacy required in the machining task.

Resting on the base, the column houses both the oil and coolant system. Along with the base, they collectively offer support to different pieces of the milling machine.

3. Axle/Spindle

The axle work through an axis that gets movement directions sent by the CNC regulator. The shaft of the axle is typically where the instrument is connected to, ordinarily through a device holder.

Depending upon the applications, the machine might include at least one spindles to achieve the required work. The central shaft inside the alternating axis of a machine instrument is liable for conveying the vital force, speed, and accuracy fundamental for the utilization of machining devices.

4. Axes

CNC machining gadgets characterize X/Y/Z dimensions and extra rotational axis, which can all be changed through g-code orders in the CNC regulator.

These axes play an essential part in keeping up with precision in molding the feed, basically filling in as the lifeblood of any processing machine.

5. Tool Holders

Their major role is to hold the cutting instrument in an exact area securely. Depending upon the instrument holder you pick, some proposition unique precision and a solid grasp, while others permit the slicing device to drift to forestall a messed up device.

6. CNC Control Board and Display Unit

For simplicity of machine activity, the control board ought to be effectively available and within simple reach. The display unit shows how the administrator connects with the different CNC machine capabilities, for example, changing machine settings or inputting G-code.

Besides, it contains gadgets that assist with controlling the different slicing activities through programming capabilities.

7. Automatic Tool Changers

These can be either mounted at the segment or freely joined to the machine. The last choice is favored when bigger device transformers are required, obliging 40 up to 300 unique apparatuses. This approach saves time and exertion as well as helps executives in avoiding futile vibrations during action.

8. Coolant Tank

A CNC coolant tank is a reservoir that houses the coolant utilized in CNC machines.They supply the coolant to the cutting surfaces and the axle with tool during machining process. This liquid is essential for decreasing intensity and contact created during the machining system, hence safeguarding both the machine and the work piece.

9. Work Table

They offer a durable starting point for directly securing the work piece and can as well be used for mounting a vice or fixtures to get the piece ready. Commonly, T-spaces are utilized on most tables for the helpful bracing of a fixture, vice, or part.

10. Feedback and Control Frameworks

These frameworks incorporate adaptive control framework, position feedback frameworks and speed input frameworks, which cooperate to check and change the exact place of a mechanical part during the processing system.

Feedback and control frameworks likewise assume a significant part in accomplishing the ideal degree of precision and consistency in the final machined item. This makes them a fundamental part of any CNC processing activity.

11. Headstock

This is a unique section to a machine that contains the principle drive, bearings, gears and it may be found on the left-hand side of CNC machine. It is capable of transmitting power from the engine to the workpiece thus empowering the important turn and development for machining.

12. Power Feed Mechanism

This component is known as the mover in the CNC machine, and it comprises of the driving framework, T-spaces, the knee, and the bed. The feed system contains electrical engines that get signals from the regulator and make the ideal development in the workpiece to work with the cutting activity.

13. Chunk

This is a lathe specific component utilized to secure the raw material during machining on a lathe. It is rapidly rotated by the axle and generally features three or four holds that are impelled pneumatically or using pressurized water.

The chunks enables exact control of their position to accommodate any variety in the unrefined substance thereby allowing flexible cutting.

14. Foot Pedals or Switch

Operators use foot pedals to stack spaces into the machine and unload finished parts proficiently. They are also used to enact and deactivate the chunk and tail stock plume of a CNC machine.

15. Tail Stock

Situated opposite the headstock on a CNC machine, tail stocks are used to get and uphold the free finish of a workpiece during machining. Absence of a tail stock would prompt powers created during slicing making the material divert away from the shaper.

The unrefined substance is fixated on the tail stock plume, which pivots freely inside the tail stock. The tail stock is only capable to move along the machine z-hub to represent different unrefined substance lengths.

16. Ram

This is an adjustable arm intended for vertical milling machines and is usually situated on top of the column. The general function of milling machine is appropriate for processing planes, slopes, grooves, and different applications, using an arrangement of tools, for example, circular processing cutter, bar processing cutters, and point processing cutters.

17. Overhanging Arm

This is a horizontal structure created from single cast iron-piece and it is usually situated on the top surface of the column. The overhanging arm is utilized to support the Arbor.

18. Saddle

They are usually made of cast iron and are connected to the knee which hold and control the feed system of the machine. They additionally support the work surface and work with smooth vertical and horizontal changes of the workpiece.

19. Electrical Cabinet

This enclosure houses the CNC milling machine’s electrical circuitry and other drive systems. Other components may include PLC systems, circuit breakers, etc.

20. Input Device

You can load the PLC programs from this port to perform the milling operations. In most CNC milling machines, you may find:

• Keyboard – from here, you can input different CNC milling machine commands (G-code) into the machine.
• USB Port – You can transfer codes from a different system say a computer to the CNC milling machine.

21. Machine Control Unit

This is a set of hardware that translates the G-code (milling program) into instructions which the machine executes to mill parts.

The machine control unit will manage and coordinate various milling operations. It is equipped with a range of memory units, sensors, and other electronic components.

Additionally, it executes commands and translates input into suitable machine movements.

22. Tooling System

They mill the workpiece to achieve the desired designs.  Depending on the type of CN milling machine, you may find a simple or complex tooling system.

For instance, you may find:

• 3-axis CNC milling machine
• 4-axis CNC milling machine
• 5-axis CNC milling machines

All these CNC milling machines have different tooling configurations.

Additionally, the tooling system may have other attachments such as coolant, locking mechanism, etc.

23. Drive System

The drive system moves the tool mechanism to perform the milling operations in different axes. These parts of CNC machines mainly consist of the motor drive system. The CNC drive systems perform the following key operations;

• Moving the bed – it can move in the x and y axes depending on the machine
• Move the cutting tool up and down

Generally, a CNC machine drive system consists of all parts that help in the movement process. These may include servo motors, conveyor systems, ball screw mechanisms, linear guiding systems, etc.

Remember, it is the driving system that powers the feeding mechanism. Other critical components that form part of the power feed mechanism include:

• Knee
• Bed
• T-slots

All these parts working together alongside the machine control unit regulate and determine the CNC milling machine movement.

24. Tool Changer

With a tool changer, you can switch to different tooling systems thereby, achieving a wide range of milling operations.

Depending on your CNC milling machine design, you may have:

• Automatic tool change
• Turret head
• Disc or
• Drum type

25. Coolant

It forms part of the CNC milling machine cooling system together with the coolant tank. Coolant mainly prevents tooling systems from overheating thereby:

• Extending tool lifespan
• Improving on milling surface finish
• Reducing both heat and friction

26. Knee

The knee has vertical positioning screws that help the CNC milling machine worktable movement. With the CNC milling machine, the machine automatically positions the knee which is connected to the column.

27. Arbor Support

A common component in the horizontal milling machines. It connects the spindle thereby supporting the CNC machine tool system.

28. Powered Drawer

Powered drawers help in tooling changeover in CNC milling machines.

29. Rotary Kit

This is a special kit that adds the 4^th axis to a CNC milling machine. With a 4^th axis or rotary kit, your CNC milling machine can effectively machine curved surfaces such as cylindrical workpieces.

Among the key component of the rotary kit is the rotary rollers.

30. Chip Tray

The tray collects all chips (waste) from the milling operation. Within this system, there is the high-pressure coolant that removes the chips from the milling area.

31. Machine Guard

As part of safety requirements, the machine guard forms an important component of the CNC milling machine.

These machine guards cover the milling area thereby preventing chips from flying and causing any possible injuries.

32. Way Cover

CNC milling machine has many moving parts which can be dangerous when unprotected. Consequently, most machines have way covers that protect moving components.

Apart from ensuring operator safety, they also protect the parts from:

• Dust
• Debris
• Unwanted contaminants

33. Safety Mechanism

Another critical parts of CNC milling machines are the safety systems. There are many parts specifically designed to protect both the machine and users.

Although we have mentioned some earlier, others may include;

• Emergency Stop Button
• Safety windows
• Interlock system
• Enclosure systems
• LED lights
• Alarm system

All vary depending on the machine configurations, design, and model.

Remember, CNC milling machines have thousands of parts depending on the machine design and brand. The parts above are some of the main components of the classification CNC milling machine.

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More resources:

Metal Milling Machine – Source: BRITANNICA