Milling machines are among the most versatile
and useful machines in the shop. A
milling machine is similar to a lathe in that it is
designed to cut and shave metal from stock.
The difference comes from how the two machines
operate. The lathe turns the stock and the
cutting tool is stationary. The milling machine
has a rotating cutting tool and the stock is
held stationary. Most milling machines are
made so that the cutting tool can be operated
from two or more axes.
The milling machine was first developed to shape
wood in the early part of the 19th century. It
was inevitable that milling machines would be
modified to cut and shape metal. As metallurgy
improved and new metals were developed, the milling
machine became increasingly more important. The
ability to shape metal fueled the industrial
revolution.
The
First Bridgeport Milling Machine Was Introduced
More Than 50 Years Ago
Machine
shops have depended upon the bridgeport
milling machine for more than 50 years. A leader in
machine tool technology the company has developed
a number of machine models, including vertical
mills and high speed machines. This selection
includes machines with a 3-axis machine, 4-axis
machine and simultaneous 5-axis machines.
Milling tools are those tools held in the spindles
of the milling machine that actually make the
cuts in the metal stock. There are tools designed
for an almost endless variety of cuts. These
include end mills, flute mills and face mills.
Many of these machines are now computer controlled
through computer numerically controlled technology.
This CNC technology has been a tremendous labor
saver for many shops and factories. CNC technology
permits management to redistribute labor more
effectively.
Milling
machines are like drills, lathes, cutters,
planers and shapers all rolled into one machine.
The workhorses of the modern machine shop is
truly the CNC milling machines.
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