Milling Machine

A Milling Machine is employed to remove material from an object undergoing some work by constant rotation of a cutting tool into the desired area of a work piece. The machines can be oriented vertically or horizontally depending on the type of application. The milling machine normally employed to machine flat and haphazard shaped surface. This can also be used for drilling, boring and cutting threads, gears and slots.

Milling machines are designed in various types and they perform a variety of functions. These machines primarily employ rotating tools for cutting a work piece. However, in oil milling units, a machine is rotated about an axis to grind material for obtaining the oil extracts. The milling machines may have a number of cutting edges that create a dent in the material and obtain the desired shape or bore. The milling process can either be performed manually or through power-operated machines.

Working Mechanism of Milling Machines

In the milling process, the work piece is normally held in a vice that features two parallel jaws, or the work piece could be held by a device clamped to a table which has been arranged to move in three perpendicular directions. Disk cutters are attached through holes to shafts attached to the machine spindle. The spindles feature teeth on peripheries only or both face and periphery.

While performing the functions on a work piece performed on a table that is run manually or by power against the rotating cutter. Milling machines are normally suitable for flat surfaces, however, any shape that is susceptible to be ground on the cutter can be reproduced on the work.

Milling Machine Applications

Some of the major applications of milling machines are as given below:

• Milling machines are used for machining flat surfaces, contoured surfaces and clotting.
• Milling machines are designed for making complex and uneven areas, gear cutting, revolution surface, and machining internal and external threads.
• Used for machining helical surfaces (helical is a shape resembling a corkscrew or spiral staircase) of different cross-sections. 

Important Milling Machine Parts