TABLE OF CONTENTS Many different types of CNC machines are used in industry, and the majority of them are CNC machining centers and CNC lathes. They are followed by wire EDM, fabricating machines and machines of special designs. Although the focus of this handbook is on the two types that dominate the market, many general ideas can be applied to other CNC equipment.
The description of CNC milling machines is so large, it can fill a thick book all by itself. All machine tools from a simple knee type milling machine up to a five axis profiler can be included in this category. They vary in size, features, suitability for certain work, etc., but they do all have one common denominator - their primary axes are the X and Y axes - and for this reason, they are called the XY machines.
In the category of the XY machines are also wire EDM machine tools, laser and water jet cutting machines, flame cutters, burners, routers, etc. Although they do not qualify as milling type machine tools, we mention them because the majority of programming techniques applicable to the mills is identical to these machines types as well. The best example is a contouring operation, a process common to many CNC machines.
For the purpose of this handbook, a milling machine can be defined:
| Note | Milling machine is a machine capable of a simultaneous cutting motion, using an end mill as the primary cutting tool, along... |
