Differences Between Horizontal and Vertical Machining Centers

After the advent of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) in the 1960s, milling machines evolved into machining centers. Milling centers are generally classified as Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs) or Horizontal Machining Centers (HMCs). Both the Horizontal and Vertical CNC machining centers have roles to play in today’s competitive world of manufacturing. Horizontal and Vertical machining refers to the main spindle orientation and both machining centers come in small, bench-mounted devices to a room-sized machine. The machines have different positioning of the products, structures, and different forms of machining the workpiece but have in common the milling function, the main function of the machining center. Listed below are the differences between a Horizontal and Vertical Machining Center.

HORIZONTAL MACHINING CENTERS – Horizontal Machining, also known as milling, relies on rotary cutters to remove metal from a workpiece. Horizontal machining occurs on a horizontal machining center (HMC), which employs a spindle that is parallel to the ground floor. It has an x-y table with a cutter mounted on a horizontal arbor across the table. The workbench of the horizontal machining center is only designed to move in the X or Y direction. It refers to the machining center where the main shaft is horizontal. The workbench is generally a rotary table with a lattice screw hole table and it is relatively easy to choose and exchange double tables. Horizontal machining centers are much better suited for workpieces that need to be machined on multiple sides. HMCs are normally designed with two integrated pallets in which tombstones or fixtures are often attached. Generally finishes the processing of the four surfaces except for the mounting surface and the top surface after one clamping and suitable processing of the box-like parts. Most of the horizontal Machining Centers highlight a =15/-15 degree rotary table allowing one mill at shallow angles. It is also used to shape flat surfaces. The benefits of HMCs include a larger tool magazine and improved chip flow that the spindle orientation allows gravity to do the work. Horizontal Machining Center also comes automation ready.

VERTICAL MACHINING CENTER – Vertical machining occurs on a vertical machining center (VMC), which employs a spindle with a vertical orientation. With a vertically oriented spindle, tools stick straight down from the tool holder and often cut across the top of a workpiece. It has a spindle axis vertically oriented. Its milling cutters are held in the spindle and it rotates on its axis. Vertical machining center’s vertical columns are designed as moving column types. Vertical column machining centers are designed for moving columns. The vertical column machining center table only performs the X or Y direction movement, while the column will do the X or Y-direction movement. VCM refers to the machining center where the main shaft is vertical. This design method has a better comparison with the column drive motor. Verticals have great qualities, but they have limitations. It only has a work plane. A good example is, to reach five sides of a square block, the workpiece must be flipped five times. This drives up handling and allows the possibility of human error to come to play. But today VCMs are used in great capacity. The vertical machining center is the least expensive compared with the Horizontal Machining Center and it typically requires less fixturing and tool holders. And the way they operate also tends to be more familiar to the average machinist. They are generally all-purpose, tried, and true machines. Vertical Machining Centers have two subcategories. These categories are the bed mill and the turret mill.

Although Vertical and Horizontal Machining Centers are very useful, they both have their advantages and disadvantages. The cost of the two machining centers also have a big difference. Vertical Machining Centers typically have a lower initial purchase price than the Horizontal Machining Center. If you often work on various sizes of prismatic parts, you should purchase the Horizontal Machining Center, but if your shop specializes in machining large flat workpieces that require a single operator action, a Vertical Machining Center would be an excellent choice. If you’re interested in buying a used horizontal machining center or a vertical machining center, make sure to look through our used Machine inventory. Contact us today and we’ll help you find the right machine that’s perfect for your application.