Different Types Of Metal Cutting Machine Tools

The role of machine tools is crucial in the manufacturing sector. These are only the shears, cutters, drills, punches, grinders, and presses used in machining operations. Machine tools are often power-driven metal cutting or forming tools used to reduce the size and shape of the work item by removing unnecessary portions and applying pressure, sealing, drawing, or shearing. Machine tools can be controlled automatically or manually. Machine tools come in many forms, including metal cutting, metal forming, and other machine tools.

Machines used to cut metal include lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, boring machines, and machining centers. Mother machines are machines that enable other machines to function.

6 Types Of Metal Cutting Machine Tools

1. Lathe

A lathe is a tool for cutting metal that rotates the workpiece around an axis to produce an object that is symmetrical about that axis. Many operations, including undercutting, grooving, knurling, plain and step turning, facing, threading, drilling, parting, cutting, shaping, chamfering, reaming, boring, filing and polishing, and taper turning, are carried out using lathe cutting tools. Various operations call for different cutting tools when using a lathe machine.

2. Drilling Machines

One of the most challenging machining operations is drilling. The key feature of a drilling machine that sets it apart from other machining procedures is the combined cutting and metal extrusion at the chisel edge in the middle of the drill. The drilling machine, a drill press, is one of the industry's most widely used and practical equipment. It creates, shapes, and completes holes in a workspace.

A drilling machine can perform various tasks, including reaming, boring, drilling, tapping, lapping, counterboring, countersinking, grinding, spot facing, and trepanning. Many drilling machines range from essential portable equipment to more complicated mechanized and numerically controlled machines.

3. Milling Machine

This metal cutting tool uses a spinning multipoint cutter to cut metal as the workpiece is fed against it. The cutters can rotate quickly and remove metal due to their wide range of blades. Also, it holds many cutters at once, making it one of the most excellent tools for cutting projects.  Every project on this machine requires extreme precision. Milling machines are more popular for quick metal removal than planners, lathes, and shaper tools. Due to this, several manufacturing tasks require milling machines. 

4. Boring Machines

Boring, known as internal turning, expands a hole's inner diameter. Size, straightness, and concentricity are the three factors you can achieve with boring. It also includes the turning operations that accompany external turning. Boring and  Internal turning are two choices. However, the length and size of the workpiece’s hole significantly limit the choice of tool. In addition to boring equipment, you may also do boring operations with lathes, milling machines, and machining centers. Like most machine tools, boring machines can be classified as precision, jig, vertical, or horizontal.

5. Grinding Machines

Abrasive machining or grinding has been done with shapers, lathes, and conventional milling machines. The operations can be done by using different types of grinding machines nowadays. Over the past ten years, grinding machines have made much more advancements than other popular machine tools used in manufacturing. This includes stiffness, design, application, and construction.

6. Machining Center

A machining center is best defined as an automatic tool changer and a table that clamps the workpiece in place. This feature is present in nearly all CNC drilling and milling machines. In contrast to tools, the work in a machining center stays stationary rather than rotating. The main characteristic that sets it apart is its spindle orientation. As a cutting-edge computer-controlled machine, this machining center can perform a wide range of machining operations on a workpiece's numerous surfaces and orientations. The designs of machining centers range widely. The three fundamental types are:

• Horizontal spindle
• Vertical spindle
• Five-axis machining center

Additional Tips For Using Metal Cutting Machine Tools

Following is the list of additional tips for using metal cutting machine tools:

• Ensure to wear appropriate safety gear while using metal cutting tools. Safety gear includes glasses, helmets, face shields, etc. All this safety gear will protect you from severe accidents.

• Ensure your workpiece is tightly clamped or secured to prevent movement and severe injuries.

• Always make sure to use the appropriate cutting tools required for the project.

• When using cutting tools, avoid accidents and keep your fingers away from the running machine.

• Don't put too much pressure while using a cutting tool. This will result in machine breakage and even damage to the workpiece.

• Ensure the cutting tools are stored properly to prevent any damage or rust. 

• If you are a beginner, get training before using cutting tools for efficient results.