Metal Cutting

Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs)

A vertical machining center (VMC) is a machining center with its spindle in a vertical orientation. High-end VMCs are high-precision machines often used for tight-tolerance milling, such as fine die and mold work. Low-cost vertical machining centers are among the most basic CNC machine tools. A low-cost VMC is often a new machine shop’s first machine tool purchase.

Featured Zone Content

June 2011

The In-House Advantage


A shop that introduced its own product realizes the advantages of designing and machining a part under the same roof.

February 2010

When to Mill Keeps Changing


Technology improvements steadily expand the range of tool and die parts that justify high speed machining.

September 2009
Custom workholding fixture

Looking At 30-Tapers In A New Light


The six 30-taper machine tools in one Northeastern shop are used for more than just drilling holes and performing secondary operations. The small-footprint equipment is also used to machine parts complete from titanium and other challenging materials.



May 2013
Hurco VMX42HSi

High Speed Machining Center Features Motion Control

By: Modern Machine Shop
Hurco will showcase the high speed VMX42HSi mill equipped with direct-drive servos, an 18-k integral spindle and X/Y/Z travels of 42" × 24" × 24".

May 2013

VF-1: Then and Now

By: Peter Zelinski
To commemorate its 30-year anniversary, Haas Automation compares the VF-1 machining center of 1988 with the same model today, illustrating how far the technology has come.

May 2013
Tongtai TMV-510G

VMC Designed for Graphite Machining

By: Modern Machine Shop
Absolute Machine Tools will display its TMV-510G machining center from Tongtai Machine & Tool.

April 2013
Mitsubishi EDM/Laser MCV 1000 machining center

Machining Center for Fixtures

By: Modern Machine Shop
Mitsubishi EDM/Laser’s MCV 1000 machining center is a general-purpose machine for applications such as fixtures, mold base and secondary operations.

April 2013

Composites Technology at F-35 Suppliers Conference

By: Derek Korn
A recent conference highlighted composites milling equipment as well as a new seven-axis fiber-placement machine specifically designed for the tricky material used to create critical F-35 components.


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