Vertical machining center is a machining center with vertical spindle. Most of its structure is fixed column, the worktable is rectangular, no indexing rotation function. Suitable for machining disc, sleeve and plate parts. It usually has three axes of linear motion and can be mounted with a rotating table along the horizontal axis of the table to handle the screw parts.
The vertical machining center is easy to install, operate, observe, debug and apply. However, due to the limitation of column height and tool changer, too high parts cannot be processed. When machining cavity or concave profile, the chip is not easy to discharge. In severe cases, tools will be damaged, machined surfaces will be damaged and smoothing will be affected.
Horizontal machining center is a machining center with horizontal spindle. It usually has a rotary table with automatic indexing. It usually has 3-5 motion coordinates. In general, it has three linear motion coordinates plus one rotational motion coordinate. After the workpiece is loaded once, it completes the treatment of the remaining four surfaces except the mounting surface and the top surface. It's best for adding box parts. Compared with the vertical machining center, the horizontal machining center can easily remove the chips, which is conducive to processing, but the structure is complex and the price is high.
They are different in dealing with object orientation. Due to the height limitation of column and tool changing device, the vertical machining center can not handle too high parts. The volume of the workpiece is relatively small. If we want to realize the side machining of the workpiece, we must install the angle head or CNC turntable. Horizontal clamping can complete the machining of the other four surfaces except the mounting surface and the top surface. It is most suitable for processing box parts. Pentahedron machining can be realized by adding angle head.
Generally speaking, the structure of horizontal machining center is more complex than that of vertical machining center, and the price is much higher.
