1.

VMC (Vertical Machining Centre)

VMCs are automated machine tools for metalworking
applications where the main spindle is aligned vertically.
Nowadays professional machine shops and manufacturing plants
mostly use CNC controlled machine tools. A VMC is a machine
suitable for machining operations such as milling, drilling,
boring, tapping, thread cutting, and more. Conventional vertical
machining centers have 3 axes, more advanced machines for
complex workpiece cutting can have four or even five. There are
many different types of VMCs with different sizes, equipment,
and applications.
2.Structure of a VMC
The X-Axis is the longitudinal axes for the left-right movement,
the Y-Axis is the lateral axis for the front-back movement, while
the Z-Axis is the vertical axis (for the VMC the axis along which
the spindle moves) for up-down motion. More advanced
machines have an additional 4th or even 5th axis and pallet
changers for more complex operations and specific cutting
applications. A true 5-axis machine tool can perform
continuous multi-side machining simultaneously with
increased accuracy, speed and overall control. It also
significantly increases productivity as there is no need to
unclamp, adjust and re-clamp the workpiece for different
cutting operations.

1. Number of Axes

A 3-Axis CNC Machining Center can be used for various

industrial parts. The use of different cutters allows for a wide
range of cutting operations. A 3-axis VMC works on three
separate axes:
The X-Axis is the longitudinal axes for the left-right movement,
the Y-Axis is the lateral axis for the front-back movement, while
the Z-Axis is the vertical axis (for the VMC the axis along which
the spindle moves) for up-down motion. More advanced
machines have an additional 4th or even 5th axis and pallet
changers for more complex operations and specific cutting
applications. A true 5-axis machine tool can perform
continuous multi-side machining simultaneously with
increased accuracy, speed and overall control. It also
significantly increases productivity as there is no need to
unclamp, adjust and re-clamp the workpiece for different
cutting operations.

2.Spindle
The Spindle on a VMC is perpendicular to the working surface
and the worktable is the device that holds and rotates the
cutting tools. The spindle cartridge moves up and down along
the Z-Axis when approaching the part. HSK is a german tooling
standard that is also very popular, especially in Europe. It is a
more modern technology with a much shorter taper and
different mechanism. The spindle rotates the tool at high speed
that is measured at revolutions per min, rpm.
 3.The worktable
Just like any other machine tool the vertical machine has a
worktable where the workpiece is mounted. Usually, you will
have some fixtures like clamping vises, depending on the size of
the part. . A conventional worktable can move along the X-axis
and Y-axis. A rotary table (see image) adds an additional axis as
it can rotate. This tremendously increases the productivity of 3-
axis machines. A trunnion rotary table even adds two
additional exes, basically turning a 3-axis VMC into a 5-axis
powerhouse.
 4. Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)
Automatic tool changers are a standard accessory of any
modern vertical machine and further add to its
productivity. They can hold 20, 40, or even up to a
hundred different tools for all kinds of cutting
Job done on VMC :-
Part Name – Lubricating Pump Ring TV-1
Operations - Boring,Drilling
Description-
Boring and drilling operation is performed
in VMC machine on a named Lubricating Pump Ring TV-1.
Firstly operator of VMC machine clamps the job piece
into the tool holder and number of pieces are 5 which
are being clamped onto the work table.Then work table
is rotated by 180° and then automatically operations are
started to be done.Firstly Boring operation is done on the
inside diametral periphery.After the boring operation is
done,VMC changes the tool from Boring tool to drilling
tool and start drilling operation on the workpiece.Drilling
is done as per machine is being programmed for. 4 Holes
are being drilled on the Job piece.Simultaneously Brine
solution is also used for cooling of the job piece and Tool
so that it will not damage the job piece and also Tool is
preserved because if we do not use Brine
solution,Heating takes place in the Tool and Job piece
due to continuous friction between Tool and Job piece
and After some point,If we not use brine solution,Tool
will break due to overheating.After the cycle is
completed,The machine is automatically stopped and
Tool holder is bringed to its original position which is
(0,0) and working table also bringed back to its original
position by -180° rotation.In this way This job is done on
the VMC machine and shown in drawing.