Milling Machine
Labeled Photograph
Description
Trimming the Head
Squaring the Vise
Types of Milling Cutters
Removing and Installing End Mills
Climb vs. Conventional Milling
Calculating Speeds and Feeds
Setting Spindle Speed
Using an Edge Finder
Using the Micrometer Dials
Squaring Stock
Face Milling
Milling Slots
Advanced Work Holding
Description
Milling machines are very versatile. They are usually used to machine flat surfaces, but can also
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produce irregular surfaces. They can also be used to drill, bore, cut gears, and produce slots. The type of milling machine most commonly found in student shops is a vertical spindle machine with a swiveling head. Although there are several other types of milling machines, this document will focus only on the vertical milling machine.
A milling machine removes metal by rotating a multi-toothed cutter that is fed into the moving work piece. The spindle can be fed up and down with a quill feed lever on the head.
The bed can also by feed in the x, y, and z axes manually. In this clip the z axis is adjusted first, then the y, than the x .
Once an axis is located at a desired position and will no longer be fed, it should be locked into position with the gibb locks.
Most milling machines are equipped with power feed for one or more axes. Power feed is smoother than manual feed and, therefore, can produce a better surface finish. Power feed also reduces operator fatigue on long cuts. On some machines, the power feed is controlled by a forward reverse lever and a speed control knob.
Trimming the Head
The head of a vertical milling machine can be tilted form side and from front to back. This allows for versatility of the machine, but these adjustments can drift. Occasionally, one should check and adjust the head so that the spindle will be normal to the plane of the table. Install a dial indicator probe is facing down. Lower the spindle until the dial indicator contacts the table then registers about one half of a revolution. Set the dial indicator is toward you and set the bezel to zero. Rotate the spindle by hand 180 degrees. If the dial indicator still reads zero, the spindle is aligned front to back. If not, adjust the head until the dial reads half of the original reading and iterate the entire process until the error falls within acceptable limits. Repeat the process with the dial displaced left and right to alight the head side to side.
Squaring the Vise