The milling machine is a tool that is made to cut workpiece materials, which is operated by a program and managed by Computer Numerical Control (CNC) system.
There are various parts of this machine, to know these parts you can see the description about 24 parts of the milling machine and their functions that are written below.
1. Motor
The motor has a function to convert electric power becomes mechanical power, so the machine can move.
2. Variable Speed Control
Variable speed control is the milling machine part that has a function to control the speed of the motor drive by adjusting the electric power frequency that is supplied to the motor drive.
3. Quill Feed Hand Lever
Quill feed hand lever is a lever/handle that has a function to combine quill mechanism with the shaft.
4. Digital Readout
Digital readout is a numeric display that is installed on the milling machine. The digital readout display is showing the position of the part of the vise table or tool.
The milling machine that is equipped with a digital readout can work faster.
5. Ram
Ram is part of protruding arm on the vertical milling machine. This end of the ram is connected with the machine column. Whereas, the other end is connected with the milling head.
6. Ram Locks
As the name implies, ram lock serves to lock part of the ram or protruding arm on the milling machine, so the position does not change.
7. Ram Adjust Handle
Ram adjust handle is a lever to adjust the position of the ram or arm, so it can be operated easily.
8. Table Stop Dogs
This part is a part that has a function as a table stop on the machine.
9. Table Power Feed
Table power feed is to adjust the table using power by rotating the available lever.
10. Column
The column is the part of the machine body that serves as a support or cradle for the other milling machine parts. The part that is shaped like an up-right bird’s tail has a function to make the knee, which is tied with the saddle and table, move up and down.
The column is also a cradle for the main shaft, also becomes the cradle for the motor and its pulleys. The column body stands upright and sturdy, so it is used as a benchmark and as the house of the gears.
11. Saddle Traverse Crank
The saddle traverse crank is a part that has a function to connecting saddle and engine crank.
12. Knee
Knee has two shapes that have a form resembling an upright bird’s tail. One of the tails is called a saddle.
Meanwhile, the other tail is in pair with the machine body. The knee is made of cast iron, to move it, the knee must be moved vertically.
On the knee, there are various wheels that have a function to automatically manage the movement. Besides, the knee can also be locked by using a column, so it becomes stronger when in use.
13. Base
A base is a tool of a milling machine. Located at the very bottom. The function of the base is as a foundation for the milling machine. Besides, it is also a landfill of unused coolant.
The base is also a part to support the machine, so it must be strong and resistant to high pressure. Therefore, the base is made from cast iron.
14. Vertical Knee Traverse Crank
The vertical knee traverse crank is connecting part of the vertical knee with the machine arm.
15. Saddle
The saddle is part of the machine that becomes the cradle of the table. The saddle is located between the knee and milling machine table, which is square and has a bird’s tail shape that is in pair with the knee. The saddle is also made from cast iron.
You can also adjust the saddle position back and forth, and it is also equipped with a key that connects with the knee. On the top of the saddle, a circular 360 degrees T-shape is made, this shape is connected with the table.
16 Table Traverse Crank Handle
Table traverse crank handle is a handle/lever that is connecting between table with the crank, so it make you adjust it easily.
17. Table
The table is a place to bind workpieces for the milling process. The shape of the table is a rectangle and has a shape in the form of T. This table is made from cast iron.
The function of a T-shape on the table is as a place for nuts and bolts, which are used to bind the workpieces. Generally, the table can be rotated to 45 degrees, either to the right or to the left. It is equipped with table locks so that the table does not move during the milling process.
18. Table Locks
Table locks is a table lock that has a function to make the table position does not change.
19. Spindle
A spindle is a holding place for cutting tools on the vertical milling machine, also as an arbor place on the horizontal milling machine, so the spindle is an essential part of the milling machine.
When the machine is working, the motor drive will move the spindle so that the cutting tool rotates. At the end of the spindle is equipped with a slot as the holder of the cutting tools.
20. Quill
Quill is a cutting part of the milling machine. There are several types of quill that can be used with various different shapes.
21. Quill Feed Handwheel
The Quill feed handwheel allows the milling cutter to be raised and lowered in a similar way to a drilling machine by moving the spindle in and out from the head.
The quill handle, which is located at the right of the head, is used to manually move the quill up and down, and is used to drill a hole like a drilling machine.
22. Quill Feed Rate Selector
A Quill feed rate selector is a quill selector that is used to adjust the quill speed in inches per revolution (IPM). The available setting on the standard machine is .001, .003, and .005.
23. Tool Head
Tool head is part of the machine tools. After the machine is installed on the milling head, the center line of chisel rotation can make a workpiece machine on the corner to the center line of spindle rotation.
24. Motor Switch
The motor switch has a function as a switch for the motor drive of the milling machine, so you can adjust the motor drive using the motor switch.
Those are the parts of the milling machine with their functions. Those parts above are general parts from the milling machine, but those also depends on the type of the milling machine.