Milling
Machine : Definition, Working, Type`s, Parts, Operation, Advantage
Milling is a process performed with a machine in
which the cutters rotate to remove the material from the work piece present in
the direction of the angle with the tool axis. With the help of the milling
machines one can perform many operations and functions starting from small
objects to large ones.
Milling is the cutting operation that removes metal by
feeding the work against a rotating, cutter having single or multiple cutting
edges. Flat or curved surfaces of many shapes can be machined by milling with
good finish and accuracy. A milling machine may also be used for drilling,
slotting, making a circular profile and gear cutting by having suitable
attachments.
Working Principle: The
workpiece is holding on the worktable of the machine. The table movement
controls the feed of workpiece against the rotating cutter. The cutter is
mounted on a spindle or arbor and revolves at high speed. Except for rotation
the cutter has no other motion. As the workpiece advances, the cutter teeth
remove the metal from the surface of workpiece and the desired shape is produced.
Types of Milling
Machines
The two main configurations of the milling
machining operations are the types of milling machines. These are the vertical
mill and the horizontal mill. They are further discussed below:
Vertical
Milling Machines
The vertical mill has a vertically arranged
spindle axis and rotate by staying at the same axis. The spindle can also be
extended and performing functions such as drilling and cutting. Vertical mill
has got two further categories as well: turret mill and bed mill.
The turret mill has got a table that moves
perpendicularly and parallel to the spindle axis in order to cut the material.
The spindle is, however, stationary. Two cutting methods can be performed with
this by moving the knee and by lowering or raising the quill.
The other is the bed mill in which the table
moves perpendicular to the axis of the spindle and the spindle moves parallel
to its axis.
Horizontal Milling Machines
The horizontal mill is also the similar cutter
but their cutters are placed on a horizontal arbor. A lot of horizontal mills
have got rotary tables that help in milling in various angles. These tables are
called the universal tables. Apart from this all the tools that are used in a
vertical mill can also be used in the horizontal mill.
Parts of the Milling Machine
1. Column
and Base
Column and
base provide support for the other parts of the milling machine. There is an
oil reservoir and pump in the column to lubricate the spindle. The column rests
on the base and also it has a coolant reservoir and a pump to provide coolant
in machining operations.
2. Knee
Saddle and
table have the support of casting. The gearing mechanism is enclosed within the
knee. The knee is fastened to the column by dovetail ways. It is supported and
adjusted by a vertical positioning screw also known as an elevating screw. The
use of the elevating screw is to adjust the knee up and down by raising or
lowering the lever with the help of hand or power feed.
3. Saddle
and Swivel Table
The saddle is
on the knee and supports the table. Saddle slides on horizontal dovetail on the
knee and dovetail are parallel to the axis of the spindle (in horizontal
milling m/c). Swivel table is attached to the saddle that swiveled (revolved)
horizontally in both directions.
4. Power
Feed mechanism
The power feed
mechanism is in the knee. The power feed mechanism is used to control in
longitudinal (left and right), transverse (in and out) and vertical (up and
down) feeds. For the desired rate of feed on the machine, the feed selection
lever is placed to indicate on the feed selection plates. For some universal
knee and column milling machine, feed is obtained by turning the speed
selection handle till the required rate of feed is shown on feed dial. Almost in
every milling machine, there is a rapid traverse lever which is used when a
temporary increase in the speed of the longitudinal, transverse, or vertical
feeds is required. This lever is used when the operator is aligning or
positioning the work.
5. Table
The table is a
rectangular casting that is present on the top of the saddle. The table is used
to hold the work or for work holding devices. There are several T-slots to hold
work and work holding devices (jigs and fixtures). It can be operated by hand
or by power. For moving the table by hand, engage, and turn the longitudinal
hand crank. For move, it by power, engage and longitudinal direction feeds
control lever.
6. Spindle
The spindle is
used to holding and drives the cutting tools of the milling machine. It is
mounted on the bearings and has the support of the column. The spindle is
driven by an electric motor via gear trains and gear trains are on the column.
The spindle face lies near the table and having an internal taper machined on
it. There are two keys at the front face provides a positive drive for cutter
holder or arbor.
7. Over
Arm / Overhanging Arm
Over arm is a
horizontal beam and it is on the top face of the column. It may be a single
casting and slides on the dovetail ways which is on the top face of the column.
8. Arbor
Support
Arbor support
is casting with a bearing that supports the outer end of the arbor. It also
helps to align the outer end of the arbor with the spindle. Arbor support
prevents the springing of the outer end of arbor in cutting operations.
Generally, there are two types of arbor supports used in the milling machines.
The first one has a small diameter bearing hole of a maximum diameter of 1
inch. The second one has a large diameter bearing hole of up to 23/4 inch.
9. Ram
The ram is an
overhanging arm in a vertical milling machine. The one end of the ram is
mounted on the top of the column and the milling head is attached to another.
Milling Machine Operations:
The following Operation is
performed by the Milling Machine:
·
Plain Milling or Slab
Milling Operation
·
UP and DOWN Milling
Operation
·
Face Milling Operation
·
End Milling Operation
·
Gang Milling Operation
·
Straddle Milling Operation
·
Groove Milling Operation
·
Gear Milling Operation
·
Side Milling Operation and
·
T-Slot Milling Operatio
Up Milling and Down Milling:
Up milling is a method of
milling operation in which the cutter and the workpiece both moves in the
opposite direction.
Down Milling is a
method of milling operation in which the direction of the rotation of the
cutter coincides with the direction of the work feed.
Chip Thickness will be minimum in the beginning and maximum
at the end in the case of up -milling. Whereas, the chip thickness will be
greater in the beginning and lesser at the end in the case of down-milling.
Tool Life will is more in the case of down-milling as
compared with the up-milling.
The surface finish will be more in the case of the
down-milling as compared with the up-milling method due to which down-milling
method is used for the finishing operations in the industries.
Accuracy will be more in the case of up-milling as compared
with the down-milling process since in up-milling the workpiece is pulled
against the table so the fasteners will be under tension and we know that under
tension the backlash error will not have any effect which ultimately results in
the better accuracy in up-milling.
Advantages of Milling
Machine:
The various advantages
of Milling are:
·
High speed
·
Better surface finish
·
Increase productivity
·
High accuracy