Horizontal Milling Machine

Main components

• Spindle: The spindle of a horizontal milling machine is parallel to the worktable, with the cutter mounted on it for rotary cutting driven by an electric motor.
• Worktable: Part used to fix the workpiece; most horizontal milling machines’ worktables can move vertically (Y-axis) and horizontally (X-axis) to adapt to different machining requirements.
• Overhead frame (or gantry): Structural part supporting the spindle box that can move up and down along Z-axis (vertical direction) to adjust the distance between tooling and workpiece.
• Tool magazine: Advanced horizontal milling machines are equipped with automatic tool magazines that support automatic tool changing, enhancing processing efficiency.

Features and advantages

• Efficient chip removal: Due to the horizontal arrangement of the spindle, chips generated during processing easily fall off without accumulating on either workpieces or tools. This helps maintain cleanliness in cutting areas and improves processing quality.
• Suitable for heavy-duty workpiece machining: The structure of a horizontal milling machine is especially suitable for bearing and machining heavy or large-sized parts, especially those requiring multi-sided machining.
• Multi-sided machining capability: By using in conjunction with a rotating table (such as indexing head or rotary table), multi-sided machining of workpieces can be achieved which reduces fixture times while increasing efficiency and accuracy.
• Multi-tool machining: Horizontal milling machines can be equipped with multiple cutters for simultaneous processing tasks making them suitable for complex tasks like gear cutting.

Applications

• Heavy machinery manufacturing: Processing large mechanical components such as engine beds or large bearing seats.
• Mold manufacturing: Suitable for producing large molds like automotive body panel molds.
• Aerospace industry: Machining various structural components & parts within aerospace sector.
• Energy equipment sector: Such as fabricating large components found in wind power equipment.