Within the industrial market Machining Equipment typically refers to the kinds of CNC machines used in machine shops. This kind of machining equipment can vary wildly in complexity and automation and typically includes horizontal and vertical machining centers, multi-axis CNC machines and CNC mills and routers. Machining equipment can be suitable for large high volume production facilities or for smaller mom & pop style machine shops.
CNC Machining Equipment Manufacturers
CMS North America: a leading manufacturer of machining equipment for machining centers, including horizontal and vertical machining centers. CMS North America manufactures machining equipment suitable for a range of machining materials, including wood, stone, glass, metals and other advanced materials. Machining equipment ranges from CNC mills and CNC routers to full 5-axis machining centers.
Tormach LLC: provider of benchtop CNC machining units for use in small scale production and product innovation. Tormach specializes in the manufacturing of customized personal CNC (PCNC) machines with precision tooling and a variety of milling accessories.
CNC Machining Equipment Types
Machining equipment refers to large machines that are used to cut, bevel, and otherwise form materials. While machining equipment is manufactured specific to a variety of materials types, within the industrial market it is usually assumed that machining equipment is used for the forming of different types of metal -- from steel (low carbon, alloy, and stainless grades) to aluminum and even structural steel. Among the most common types of machining equipment are CNC routers and CNC mills. Interestingly, these are essentially the same machine, and the difference between a router and a mill is determined not based on the actual machining equipment, but instead on the application. Exactly what is being machined (and how) is what determines if a piece of machining equipment is a CNC mill or router.
Multi-Axis Machining Centers
Machining equipment for modern machining centers typically involves multi-axis CNC machines, ranging from 3-axis machines to 5-axis and more. These multi-axis machines are capable of moving around the material being machined on multiple axis, allowing more complex and intricate parts to be manufactured. The most common multi-axis machining centers are 3-axis CNC machines and 5-axis CNC machines, with the 5-axis machines capable of a greater range of movement and complexity of part creation. The 3-axis CNC machine is capable of moving on the traditional X, Y and Z axis. The 5-axis CNC machine moves along the same traditional axis, plus introduces the capability of rotating along the X and Y axis. Thus in the more versatile 5 axis CNC machine the object being machined could move left and right while at the same time rotating forward and backward. A 5 axis machining center allows for nearly every kind of movement and enables the machining of very complex and intricate parts without the need for additional setups by the machinist. Many 5-axis machining setups are referred to as Vertical Machining Centers -- this term comes from the typical vertical orientation of the machining equipment that is convenient and space saving for machine shops. Horizontal machining centers make use of the same machining equipment, just in a different configuration.
