Even with what the latest technology has provided with industrial parts and tools, most machines cannot do everything. Modern milling machines are no exception.
Vertical and horizontal milling machines have different uses based on the job you are looking to perform. Some milling machines give you the flexibility to manipulate the machine to provide more precise and tedious milling. Other milling machines can take on larger tasks.
Take your needs into consideration when choosing the best milling machine for you.
Here are some of the most distinctive differences between a horizontal versus a vertical mill.
Horizontal Milling Machine
Horizontal milling machines are fashioned like a circular saw. A horizontal arbor is used to mount whatever you plan to cut. The benefit of this is you can cut any surface quickly and easily.
Some horizontal milling machines also offer the flexibility to add multiple cutters to cut many pieces at once. You may also be able to shift the horizontal mill at different angles instead of only cutting at a horizontal angle.
A drawback of using a horizontal mill is that you are working with a large piece of material have limited vision to see what is being cut. Some operators work around this by touching the piece, then moving around to make sure the material is stable as it cuts.
An excellent factor to take into consideration is the cost of a horizontal milling machine. A horizontal mill costs $375k, and vertical milling machines are about half that cost.
Vertical Milling Machines
The cutting head of a vertical mill is on a vertical axis and allows the flexibility to be controlled in a variety of ways. You can have quite a lot of flexibility using different vertical mills. Turret mills and bed mills offer different capabilities.
The cutting head can be moved up and down vertically, and the bed can be moved horizontally. This allows the operator to be able to manipulate the material into different shapes and depths.
The downside of using a vertical milling machine is it is impractical when attempting to work on a large piece of material. The flexibility of manipulating the mill ends up being difficult to use. You may be better off investing in a horizontal milling machine if you are in an industry that works with a lot of large and heavy material.
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Each type of mill has its pros and cons. A vertical mill allows you more flexibility to customize the mill to the needs of the project or the material you are working with. The horizontal mill is better for larger jobs and heavier pieces of material.
The key factor in deciding which is the best milling machine for you is to determine the types of materials you would be working with on a regular basis.
Kor-Pak’s industrial-based products and services offer knowledgeable solutions to manufacturing leaders. Contact Kor-Pak today with questions on how to pick the best milling machine for your company.