What types of workpieces can horizontal machining centers be used to process?

Horizontal Machining Center--The Boring Hand in the Machining Industry

A horizontal machining center refers to a machining center where the spindle axis is parallel to the worktable, on which the workpiece is clamped with a laterally moving spindle. Machines can automatically select different cutting tools, change the spindle speed of the machine tool, and complete multi-process machining of workpieces in sequence, which can greatly improve production efficiency.

Compared with vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers have the advantages of easy chip removal and advantageous clamping for workpieces. Some horizontal machining centers have two workbenches, one for machining and one for loading and unloading. This design enables the horizontal machining center to process continuously, greatly improving processing efficiency.

Two-line-one-hard vertical machining center for molds and parts

Three-linear vertical machining center

Horizontal machining centers are divided into fixed column type and movable column type according to whether the column can move or not.

1. Fixed column type

Worktable moves in the cross direction:

With the worktable moving in the X and Z directions, and the spindle box moving in the Y direction. The spindle box has two forms of hanging on the column: front and side hanging. Suitable for multi-process machining such as boring and milling of medium-sized complex parts.

Spindle box undergoes cross-motion:

With the spindle box moving in the X and Z directions and the worktable moving in the Y direction. Suitable for multi-process machining such as boring and milling small and medium-sized parts.

Spindle box mounted on the side of the column and moves in the Y and Z directions:

This layout is similar to the horizontal milling and boring machine of the planer type, where the worktable moves in the X direction. Suitable for multi-process machining such as boring and milling of medium-sized parts.

1. Movable column type

Planer type:

With a T-shaped bed body, the worktable moves in the X direction on the front bed body, and the column moves in the Z direction on the rear bed body. The spindle box has two forms of hanging on the column, namely vertical and side hanging, and moves in the Y direction. Suitable for multi-process machining of medium and large parts, especially long parts such as boring and milling.

Column cross motion type:

The column moves in Z and U directions (parallel to the X direction), the spindle box moves in the Y direction on the column, and the worktable moves in the X direction on the front bed. Suitable for multi-process machining such as boring and milling of medium-sized complex parts.

The spindle slider feed type:

The spindle box moves in the Y direction on the column, and the spindle slider moves in the Z direction. The column moves in the X direction. The workbench is fixed or equipped with a rotating workbench. Multiple workbenches can be fitted to process varied small and medium-sized parts, and coincide with the loading and unloading of workpieces and cutting time.

The horizontal machining center can process all surfaces except for the installation surface and the top surface (namely the top and bottom surfaces) of the workpiece at once and can perform milling, boring, drilling, tapping, and other processing on the four surfaces of the box. The spindle of a horizontal machining center is set horizontally, usually with three to five-coordinate axes, and is often equipped with a rotary axis (or rotary worktable). The rotary shaft is installed on the worktable to rotate the workpiece to machine all four sides of the workpiece. Multiple rotary axes can also be installed for joint motion to machine complex curved box parts. Horizontal machining centers are mainly suitable for hole and flat machining of large box-shaped workpieces. Common box-type parts generally include engine cylinders on car engines, car transmissions, transmission gearboxes, etc.

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