6 Components of CNC Milling Machine

Machine tools with the power to transform are becoming the norm, even in the home shop.CNC milling machines are rotary tooling machines driven by G-code. Speed-controlled electric drives are available for a wide range of drills, routers and milling bits. Typically, the workpiece is secured to a stationary table on the router itself. However, some CNC machines have tables that can be moved in the X, Y and Z axes to allow the tool to take on the work. In this article, we'll discuss the six parts of a CNC router, the accessories, and how to identify them.

1.What is CNC milling machine?

2. Six components of a CNC milling machine

3. How to recognize CNC milling machine parts?

1.What is CNC milling machine?

A CNC milling machine is an automated machine tool widely used for cutting 2D and shallow 3D contours from soft materials. A CNC milling machine uses three axes of motion to transfer a rotating tool to remove material in a programmed pattern. This motion is driven by G-code point-to-point commands. The cutting tools can be changed (manually or automatically) to remove material in progressive and generally smaller depths of cut, thus maintaining higher accuracy and better surface finish.

2. Six components of a CNC milling machine

(1) Frame (supports the machine)

It is vital that the frame of a CNC milling machine is as strong as possible. If the position of the workpiece or tool is uncertain due to bending of the frame, accuracy will be greatly reduced. The consequences of an insufficiently rigid structure in a router vary, depending on the degree of flexibility, and include: chatter, flexing across the bridge, and displacement in any of the axes.

(2) Table (waste or scrap board)

Tables vary in their construction and workpiece positioning systems. The most adaptable tables are those with vacuum pull-downs or integrated T-slots (or both) so that a wide variety of workpieces can be clamped anywhere. Aluminum extrusion structures are very common, offering good adaptability, stiffness and low weight. Alternatively, a range of robust materials can be machined to create T-slot tables with slots in both axes, creating a checkerboard pattern of mounting points.

(3) Spindle (the heart of CNC machine tools)

The spindle is the most critical component of a CNC milling machine. In most machines, the spindle is integrated with the motor shaft and relies on motor bearings. This is a low-cost construction method, but unless the motor bearings are strong enough, it can lead to premature wear problems. Loose bearings mean loose tools, which can lead to a loss of accuracy. Rigid bearings increase the amount of work and heat involved in machining. Poor quality or worn bearings can add a lot of noise to a fast turning tool.

(4) Guideways (sliding guides)

Guideways or slides are the trajectories of motion that enable X-Y-Z motion. It is these (along with a sturdy frame and quality screws) that determine the accuracy of a CNC milling machine. The most common method is precision ground stainless steel rods running plain bushings or recirculating ball rings. You need at least two of these rods for an axis - the farther apart these rods are, the more precise the axis movement will be. Plain bushings cost less, recirculating ball bushings move more freely but are more expensive. Free movement means more precise positioning. More expensive machines tend to use a V-shaped track, with grooved, sealed ball seats locked to either side of the track. This track provides the same stiffness but requires less height to maintain motion.

(5) Shaft drive (converting rotary motion)

A shaft drive converts the output of the stepper motor driving the machine from rotary motion to linear motion. Lower cost machines often use toothed belts or timing belts for this purpose, which are very durable when kept clean. More expensive machines tend to have recirculating ball screws. These have the advantage of freer movement and lower hysteresis. However, they can present the same contamination/wear problems as similar systems in the sliding mode, so cleanliness is critical to the long life of the machine.

(6) CNC Controller (executes G-code)

The control computer module is the brain of all CNC machines. It receives the G-code and translates it into motion by driving/controlling the stepper motors and spindle motors for each axis. These are complex I/O control devices that control a range of outputs - from simple 3-axis and cutter speeds to 5-axis, coolant pumps, motor cooling systems, automated cutter/mill changers, and more. CNC controllers are typically single board computers. They consist of a processor, memory, integrated self-protection mechanisms and a power supply. CNC controllers are designed to translate user-supplied input G-codes into precise and repeatable motion to cut complex net shapes from material blanks.

3. How to recognize CNC milling machine parts?

CNC milling machine parts can be recognized by their location. The business end of a router is a milling cutter/router/drill. There are a variety of tools available, collectively referred to as routers. The tool in use is held in a clamping device, often called a collet. The collet is attached to the spindle of a motor. Some larger machines have the collet mounted in a separate bearing system, which improves the tilting ability of the tool. The motor itself is generally mounted vertically and is very rigid. The motor/cutter subassembly is mounted to the Z-axis slide, which in turn is mounted to the Y-axis slide, which is the gantry above the workpiece. the Y-axis gantry is carried by the X-axis slide, which moves along the table. the motor/cutter subassembly is mounted on a rigid frame, which is designed to be rigid. All three axes include: a rigid frame assembly, an integrated rigid slide assembly, and a belt or ball screw drive. Finally, there is a control panel/control box containing the drive hardware, power supply, motor controller and sensors. Many machines also have a small handheld programming device that is connected to the controller.

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