Extending the milling space

On any milling machine the milling space can be considered to be the maximum movement in the x, y and z directions. This means, in general, that any metal within this space can be machined. However this space can be restricted by the tooling that is being used.

Not only is the movement in each direction important but the “space” is also relevant. for example, the movement in the z direction is the same as the “space in the z direction. The movement in the x direction might be 400mm but the “space” to both the left and the right is much larger. On the other hand, the “space” in the y direction is large at the front but very limited at the back because of the column.

Another way of looking at this problem is that though this space is limited, many jobs might have to be done where the milling is only within a small space but the workpiece is much larger.

Extending the maching space – Rotating the axes

Often some of the movements are smaller than others. for example, movement in the x direction is longer than movement in the y or z directions. Obviously the workpiece could be rotated within this space to make the best use of the movement that exists. But often the tooling might not work in the same way

1 Rotating the vertical head – With a large angle plate

431 extending milling space 2

If the axis of the cutter is still the z axis then this is dramatically increased, the y direction is increased but the x direction is reduced.

Use of raising “blocks” – 611

rotating the milling head – with a horizontal arbor in the “vertical” socket

770 vert head horizontal with horizontal arbor

Extending the x direction using a long fence

rotating a head and using the depth at the back of the milling table

using very large diameter slitting saws

265 slitting collar 2

340 horiz on vert angle plate

using a pair of centers on angle plates

Machining small portions of large workpieces

480 boring head boring a hole

Though it is usually most convenient to hold a long workpieces along the x direction if itis wide and not easy to hold on the ends then it might be possible to hold in the y direction.