What is a vertical machining center?

Vertical machining centers are multi function machines that are very flexible. They are able to perform a number of mechanical operations, such as milling, boring, threading, drilling, and more. This is because they can have a variety of tools in the changer as well as a variety of options available to increase and customize their productivity.

Vertical Machining, which is also known as milling, uses rotary cutters to remove metal from a workpiece. Vertical machining works on a vertical machining center (VMC), that uses a spindle at a vertical angle. With the spindle at a vertical angle, the tools move straight down from the tool holder to cut across the top of a workpiece. Machining centers vary according to their function, number of axes, the dimension of the working area, spindle position, and the options available.

The working area is determined by the size of the spindle operating area. The type of machining that can be done depends on the maximum size of the piece you are working on, the capability of the Vertical Machining Center you are using and the tooling and options you have configured it with.

What is a horizontal machining center

A horizontal machining center (HMC) is a machining center with its spindle in a horizontal orientation. This machining center design favors uninterrupted production work. One reason for this is that the horizontal orientation encourages chips to fall away, so they don't have to be cleared from the table.  Horizontal machining occurs on a horizontal machining center (HMC), which employs a spindle that is parallel to the ground floor. With a horizontally oriented spindle, tools stick out of the side of the tool holder and cut across the side of a workpiece, encouraging chips to fall away from the table.

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