Metal Cutting

Machining Centers & Milling Machines

OVERVIEW: The term “machining center” describes almost any CNC milling and drilling machine that includes an automatic toolchanger and a table that clamps the workpiece in place. On a machining center, the tool rotates, but the work does not. The orientation of the spindle is the most fundamental defining characteristic of a machining center. Vertical machining centers generally favor precision while horizontal machining centers generally favor production—but these are loose generalizations, and plenty of machining centers break out of them. Another common machining center type is the five-axis machining center, which is able to pivot the tool and/or the part in order to mill and drill at various orientations.

Manufacturing Videos

Small Engine Precision Fuels Fifth-Axis Production Workholding Concept

Video: Five-Axis Machining at Chicago Mold Engineering

Featured Zone Content

February 2011

Video: Cryogenic Machining of Titanium

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Through-tool liquid nitrogen turns the tool into a heat sink, extending tool life....MORE

February 2011

Video: Machining Long Parts Through a Small Machining Center

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Video from Chiron America demonstrates the company’s Multi-Profile System, which combines a machining center with in-feed and out-feed accessories so that the compact machine can mill and drill long parts....MORE

October 2010

Video of a Really Cool Bar (-Fed Machining Center)

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See a five-axis, bar-fed machining center creating a complex sample part complete from barstock....MORE

October 2011

Webinar: Technology is a Driving Force at Joe Gibbs Racing

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A free webinar on Tuesday, October 4 explains the “Concept to Car” manufacturing processes employed today at Joe Gibbs Racing....MORE

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Techspex

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February 2012

Double-Column VMC Offers High Rigidity

By: Modern Machine Shop
The FVM-3016DCL double-column VMC from Chevalier features a table size ranging from 126" × 57" to 165.4" × 57" with a table load ranging from 14,330 to 17,637 lbs. ...MORE

February 2012

Machining Center Reduces Change-Over Time

By: Modern Machine Shop
Southwestern Industries’ Trak LPM machining center is designed for for low-volume work. ...MORE

January 2012

Small Engine Precision Fuels Fifth-Axis Production Workholding Concept

By: Derek Korn
The challenge holding tight tolerances for its billet RC helicopter engine components drove this company to develop an innovative fifth-axis tombstone device to complete multiple parts on an HMC in one setup. ...MORE

December 2011

Pallet Changer Keeps Machine and Operator Busy

By: Modern Machine Shop
A new VMC with an automated pallet changer helped this shop meet customer requirements for lower prices and faster deliveries. ...MORE

December 2011