Vertical Machining Centers

How to choose a vertical machining center

Size the travels to your largest part plus room for fixtures, and check the table load. For steel and cast iron with heavy cuts, choose box (hard) guideways and a high-torque spindle, as on the LEADWELL MCV Series. For aluminum, molds and fine finishing, linear guides and a high-speed spindle give better cycle times; the SIGMA FLEXI reaches 19,000 rpm. If parts need machining on several faces or complex surfaces, a 5-axis model such as the FEELER U Series saves setups, and large-format machines such as the RAMBAUDI RC270 take very large workpieces. Tool magazine size matters when one part uses many tools or the machine runs unattended.

What to send for a quotation

Send the part drawing or 3D model, the material, the largest part size and weight, the batch size, the tolerance, and the CNC control you prefer. Tell us if you need a fourth-axis rotary table, through-spindle coolant, probing or automation.

FAQ

3-axis or 5-axis?

Three axes cover most plates, housings and molds machined from the top. Five axes pay off for impellers, complex molds and parts that would otherwise need several setups.

Box guideways or linear guides?

Box guideways damp vibration and take heavy cuts in steel; linear guides move faster and suit high-speed machining of aluminum and molds.

Which CNC control should I choose?

Choose the control your programmers and maintenance team already know, and that has service support in your country. FANUC, Siemens and HEIDENHAIN are offered on different models.

Other machine tool series

All machine tools · Gantry machining centers · Horizontal machining centers · CNC lathes and turning centers

Planning a purchase? Read our buyer’s checklist for sourcing CNC machine tools, or send us your part drawing for a quotation.