The different parts of Horizontal Boring Mills
· Headstock – feeds the tools and provides the support to the drives
· Column base – supports the column and holds the driving mechanism in place. This includes the belt drives and gear trains
· Column – holds and guides the headstock in its vertical movements but when extra support of the line bar is necessary, end supports are used.
· Table – provides clamping to the tool and allows for movements that are perpendicular to the spindle
· Saddle – is used to allow for transverse and longitudinal movement of the workpiece
· Runways – are used to support the table, main column and end supports.
· Bed – holds all the components in place and stores the coolant reservoir
Things to consider when buying Horizontal Boring Mills
Evaluating the Horizontal Boring Mills according to type
There are different types of Horizontal Boring Mills which include the table-type, planner-type and floor-type. Each of these machines has their own functions in terms of accuracy and versatility. The table-type model is preferable for metal removal while the floor type is designed for heavy and large workpieces that would be highly impractical to be carried and placed on top of a table. Not only will there be a high possibility for errors every time the part is moved, it would be difficult to hold close tolerances.
Evaluating production requirements
Cost of production is a major factor inasmuch as the Horizontal Boring Mills are appropriate for small volume production. If mass production is a requirement, then it makes sense to look for another machine tool. The size of the workpiece matters because it is a challenge to move large workpieces which makes the Horizontal Boring Mills as the suitable machine. In order to ensure that you are selecting the right kind of machine for your application, you need to understand its capabilities and functions as well as the durability of working parts particularly if you are dealing with metals. Another important consideration is the inherent accuracy of the Horizontal Boring Mills since large pieces usually require extremely close tolerances whereas the smaller workpieces require loose tolerances.
Integration of CNC technology
For the purpose of automation, computer numerical control systems are being integrated into the Horizontal Boring Mills. CNC minimizes interactions between the machines and machine operators which reduces the likelihood of human error. Since the CNC boring mills can work through pre-set instructions, the process becomes easier and faster and more accurate and suitable for complex designs. There is also a large improvement in consistency since the processes are repetitive. Further improvements are expected from the manufacturers of Horizontal Boring Mills through the integration of new technology resulting into better models for better output.