Vertical machining centers refer to machining centers where the spindle axis is perpendicular to the worktable. They can perform various processes such as milling, boring, drilling, reaming, tapping, and more. As a crucial machine in the industrial sector, for workers to give their best, they must first sharpen their tools. Let’s take a look at how we should choose when purchasing a vertical machining center.

Machine Bed

The quality of the machine bed is a critical component of machine tool manufacturing. If the foundation is not solid, it’s like having no water source for water or no roots for a tree. The working environment of a machining center involves vibrations. To maintain machine stability, the materials must be appropriate, and the structure must be reasonable. Additionally, each axis should have a pre-tensioning design to effectively eliminate backlash and ensure more stable mechanical transmission.

Spindle

The spindle is a key functional part. Gear-driven spindles can automatically switch between high and low speeds, achieving high rigidity, and are suitable for heavy-duty cutting situations, usually operating at speeds below 6000 RPM. Belt-driven spindles have a simple structure and strong buffering capability. Overload sliding protection devices can effectively safeguard the spindle. Direct-drive spindles are driven by a servo motor directly through couplings, providing high torque and low energy consumption.

Lubrication System

Proper lubrication is indispensable in reducing wear, ensuring the normal operation of the vertical machining center. All components involved in motion need to be lubricated. If the machine tool lacks a lubrication system, its lifespan and accuracy will be significantly affected.

Guide Rails

Choosing between linear guide rails or hard guide rails is a common consideration when selecting a machining center. Generally, except for long-term heavy-duty cutting machine tools, linear guide rail machining centers are preferred over hard guide rail machining centers.

Tool Magazine

Common types of tool magazines include disc-type, hat-type, and robot-type. Hat-type tool magazines have a tool change time greater than 8 seconds, while mechanical tool magazines have a tool change time greater than 4 seconds.

Features

Several outstanding features can help reduce labor input and machine wear during operations:

Chip conveyor

Z-axis counterbalance cylinder

Oil-water separator

Collision prevention device

A highly efficient vertical machining center can reduce the complex and labor-intensive tasks such as installation, adjustment, and multiple tool setting for the workpieces, significantly reducing non-machining time, simplifying the production process, lowering the defect rate, and reducing production costs. Therefore, caution should be exercised when purchasing a machine tool.