Figure 7-4.--Small vertical milling machine.
This machine is used to cut most types of gears,
milling cutters, and twist drills and is used for various
kinds of straight and taper work.
Figure 7-5.--Plain milling machine, showing operation
controls.
the simplest milling machine because it has only a few
of the features found on the other machines. You can
move the table in three directions: longitudinally (at a
MAJOR COMPONENTS
right angle to the spindle), transversely (parallel to the
spindle), and vertically (up and down). This
You must know the name and purpose of each of
machine's major advantage is its ability to take heavy
the main parts of a milling machine to understand the
cuts at fast speeds. The machine's rigid construction
operations discussed later in this chapter. Keep in
mind that although we are discussing a knee and
makes this possible.
column milling machine you can apply most of the
information to the other types.
The VERTICAL SPINDLE MILLING
machine, and figure 7-6 shows a universal knee and
position and at a right angle to the surface of the table.
column milling machine. Look at these figures to
The spindle has a vertical movement, and the table
help you identify the components described in the
following paragraphs.
can be moved vertically, longitudinally, and
transversely. You can control movement of both the
COLUMN: The column, including the base, is
spindle and the table manually or by power. You can
the main casting that supports all other parts of the
use this machine for face milling, profiling, and die
machine. An oil reservoir and a pump in the column
sinking and for various odd-shaped jobs. You also
keep the spindle lubricated. The column rests on a
can use it used to advantage to bore holes. Various
base that contains a coolant reservoir and a pump that
small vertical spindle milling machines (fig. 7-4) are
you can use when you perform any machining
also available for light, precision milling operations.
operation that requires a coolant.
7-3