Types of Fresadora
Fresadora is known as a milling machine in English. A milling machine is a machine tool used to remove materials from a workpiece through the cutting action of a rotary cutter. It is primarily used for machining solid materials like metals, plastics, and composites. Milling machines come in various types and are further classified into vertical and horizontal machines, which also have their respective features and uses. Some version of cutters is used to change the workpiece's shape and size. It is essential to know that when something is milled, it means materials have been removed in a particular pattern.
Generally speaking, a fresadora
/milling machine will consist of a bed, a column that supports the entire machine, an arm that helps to mount and hold other accessories in place, and a mainframe that does most of the work. Aside from knowing what other parts of the milling machine work, one must also be familiar with how it works. The workpiece is held against the rotating cutter, with the help of other race accessories, against the feed direction. The cutter is then used to remove any excess material in the desired pattern.
- Universal milling machines: This machine has the option of both horizontal and vertical milling. It comes with a saddle table assembly and a motor-driven tool head for adjusting the speed of the cut as per the material at hand.
- Turret milling machines: Also known as “Bedford milling machines,” they typically have a shaft with gears and a fine feed screw with a hand wheel to control the movement of the material being worked upon. This works perfectly fine for solid materials like metal, which is the primary use for this machinery.
- Vertical/ Drill Press Milling Machines: Used primarily for smaller-scale projects, these machines come with a spindle that moves up and down, similar to a drill press. They are typically less automated than turret mills and universal mills, offering basic drilling and milling functions.
- CNC Milling Machines: CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. CNC milling machines are automated equipment controlled by computer software. They offer high precision, repeatability, and the ability to perform complex machining tasks without human intervention. CNC milling machines are suitable for mass production and high-precision machining.
It is important to note that each type of milling machine is further subdivided into more refined types depending upon their use, size, and control, such as the knee, slotting, reaming, or radius milling machine, to name a few.
Specification & Maintenance
These are some typical specifications that a powerful metal fresadora cutting machine would have.
- Power: 3.5-4.5Kw. The machine would have 3.5-4.5Kw power to ensure it has the capability to cut metal accurately, efficiently, and with minimal interruptions.
- Voltage: 380V. Operating at a voltage of 380V allows the fresadora metal cutting machine to draw more power, which is necessary for handling tough metal cutting tasks and maintaining stable performance.
- Speed: Revolutions per minute (RPM) of the spindle would range between 8,000-24,000. The spindle speed control design allows the metal milling machine to cut with precision various types of metals and achieve different desired results and applications.
- Cooling system: A powerful metal milling machine must have an effective cooling system to prevent overheating during prolonged cutting operations and ensure optimal performance.
- CNC: 3 axis or 5 axis. The CNC (Computer Numerical Control) metal milling machine has a specific number of axes that determines its ability to move the cutting tool in different directions. A machine with 3-axis can move along the X, Y, and Z axes, while a CNC machine with 5-axis offers additional rotations and flexibility for more complex cutting tasks.
Maintenance:
- Daily maintenance: Make a point to clean the entire machine after use on a daily basis. It is part of the routine maintenance practice to remove any metal chips or debris. You also have to lubricate linear rails, guideways, and ball screws to ensure the smooth operation of the machine. Check and tighten loose parts and components of the metal milling machine that were possibly used during the last procedure.
- Weekly maintenance: Do a thorough inspection of the entire CNC metal milling machine and its parts and components. Pay more attention to the parts where lubricant is applied and remove any residue of lubricant or debris. Replace any parts that have noticeable wear and tear and do not forget to calibrate the machine to maintain precision and accuracy after any adjustments have been made to the device.
- Monthly maintenance: This is part where you have to do more rigorous inspection and maintenance checks. The ball screws, spindle bearings, and other moving parts would require a specific type of grease to be added. Check the filters in the dust collection system and clean them to prevent clogging. Assess the CNC system and make a backup of all necessary files. Finally, with the help of a qualified technician, inspect the cooling systems and circuits to check for any leaks in the system.
Uses of a milling machine
The metalworking industry relies heavily on the metal milling machine. It is used to form parts by removing excess material from a workpiece to achieve the desired shape, which is usually done by cutting chains.
Milling machines are used to create a wide range of parts across many industries. The following list highlights just a few.
- Automotive Industry: Car manufacturers use metal milling machines to produce engine components such as cylinder heads, intake manifolds, and brackets. Aftermarket companies like custom car builders also use these machines when making unique vehicles.
- Aerospace Industry: The airplane makers need precision parts, so they often choose cnc milling machines that can create lightweight yet strong materials at high speeds without sacrificing accuracy.
- Marine Industry: Boat builders use metal-milling machines to make hulls, propellers, and rudders. Metal milling machines work well for these marine applications because they are cost-effective, precise, and suitable even for large-scale projects.
- Medical Device Manufacturing: Medical device manufacturers may rely on metal-milling machines to create surgical instruments and implants, among other things. These include bone fixators like plates or screws, which help stabilize fractures, thereby making them easier to treat.
- Electronics Housing Production: Housing parts that house electronic equipment, such as cell phones or computers, can be made with an automated metal-making device. Metal milling machines can focus on removing small amounts of material quickly and precisely, making up complicated shapes.
- Industrial Equipment Repair: Metal MIG welds are often subject to wear, and in some cases, the only way to repair them is by milling. Metal milling machines help extend the life of these machines, saving money on costly repairs.
- Tool and Die Making: Tool makers rely heavily upon CNC technology when producing cutting tools like drills, routers driving belts, etc., or devices used in injection molding, die-casting, making holes, etc.
How to choose a fresadora
When buying a milling machine for sale, it is essential to consider a few vital features that help know its overall performance and capability. These include the machine's worktable size and load capacity, spindle speed and power, control and programming features, tooling compatibility, as well as safety and maintenance requirements.
Milling machine buyers should first check its worktable dimension and load capacity. A fresadora with a large worktable can accommodate numerous sizes of workpieces. Typically, the workpiece’s size that the machine can hold depends on the table's dimensions and sliding ability. Additionally, the table has a load capacity, which indicates the maximum weight it can hold. So, machines with higher load capacities can support heavier workpieces.
An ideal milling machine has enough spindle speed and power to execute precise cutting or shaping of workpieces. The strength of a spindle is directly related to the motor power output measured in kilowatts (kW) or horsepower (HP). Higher spindle motor power allows the machine to achieve higher speeds, possibly up to hundreds of thousands of revolutions per minute (RPM).
A milling machine has manual or automated control and programming features. Automated milling machines have easy-to-use and advanced control features, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) capabilities. Such a feature allows the machine to be programmed for automated and precise workpiece machining.
Additionally, while milling machine shopping, buyers should consider a machine with wide tooling compatibility. A fresadora compatible with many tools provides greater flexibility and can perform multiple machining operations.
Finally, buyers should also consider the safety and maintenance requirements of the milling machine. The machine's safety features can minimize the risk of accidents during operation. Also, frequent maintenance requirements ensure the machine maintains optimum performance and efficiency.
FAQ
Q1: What is the difference between a CNC and a CAD milling machine?
A1: CNC stands for computer numerical control. A CNC machine is one controlled by a computer program. In contrast, a CAD milling machine has the capacity to utilize and design computer-aided drawings. CAD machines usually have CNC capability.
Q2: What industries use CNC milling machines?
A2: CNC milling machines are used in the automotive, medical, aerospace, construction, defense, and electronics industries, among others.
Q3: What types of material can cnc milling machine materials work with?
A3: CNC machines can work with wood, metal, and plastic, among other kinds of materials. The type of material used will depend on the kind of machine available.