Machining Centers

Machining Centers

Machining Centers - One step down on the manufacturing ladder from the FMC is the machining center. A machining center is a multipurpose CNC machine tool that has an automatic tool changing capability. Two characteristics distinguish a machining center from a stand alone CNC machine:

1. Multipurpose configuration

2. Automatic tools changing capability

Note the similarities among these different configurations. Although three to five axis machine centers are the most widely used, centers are available with as many as nine axes. Machining centers can be operated alone, as part of an FMC, or as part of an FMS. They offer a number of advantages, the most important of which is versatility.

A typical machining center can perform such functions as milling, drilling, boring, reaming, contouring, and threading. This versatility leads to the other advantages such as decreased labour costs and increased productivity.

Reduced labour results because one operator can run the machining center and thereby perform milling, drilling, contouring, and a variety of other operations. In a traditional machining setting, each operation is performed on an individual machine with its own individual operator.

Increased productivity results because with a machining center such tasks as setup, too changing, and loading/unloading take Jess time than with conventional machine tools.