By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-02-01 14:33:32 | Word Count: 664
A bed mill is a subcategory of vertical mills (where the spindle axis is vertically oriented rather than horizontally); the other type of vertical mill being a turret mill.
Bed mills are the larger of the two. Unlike turret mills, they have a table that moves perpendicular to the spindle’s axis, and the spindle itself can move parallel to its own axis. Therefore, the sliding table is mounted directly onto the machine’s massive bed. It cannot be moved transversely or raised in any way; bed mills are mounted on a Z axis column. Its movement is longitudinally only. The whole head (where the spindle is located) is moved up and down. If a deeper cut needs to be made in the machining material surface, the spindle head can be moved vertically to accommodate it. A bed mill is sometimes called a table mill because if this.
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Many people think that unless you actually use the turret or head-tilt features on your vertical mill (also commonly called a Bridgeport), you might as well get a bed mill. In other words, a bed mill is better suited to more common functions than a turret (aka knee mill). They are also considered more rigid than knee mills because they are not as flexible. However, this can be an asset in machining, where the equipment needs to stay stable and precise over heavy-duty use and with the carrying out of heavy-duty functions, such as: boring, drilling, planing, shaping, low relief sculpting, moving parts of the machine to precise degrees, the automatic changing of tools and finding features on a plane using precise calculations.
At Machinery Values, we have bed mills that will give you eye-level vertical head control (of the spindle), and boring capabilities that are extremely precise. Our selection of both new and used models come either as manual or CNC. We have manual bed mills that feature tri-lever rotating rapid feeds, vertical head controls can churn out coarse or fine feeds, or power feed for positioning of the head. Some come with boring capabilities that can travel the entire length of the vertical head.
Some of the standard controls are:
* Spindle start/stop
* Spindle jog
* Spindle reverse/ forward
* Power draw bar
* Clamp/ unclamp
* Power indicator
* Table power indicator
* Coolant on/off
* Emergency stop
We also have models that feature honeycomb ribbing of the vertical column. This type of construction is 70 % more effective than rectangular ribbing in reducing vibration, and in sustaining mechanical and thermal stability during the machining process. Other models have an automated lubricant system, adjustable table backlash eliminator, full coolant systems, toolkits and much more.
In addition, high precision and accuracy can be expected from high quality tables and saddles. Some are adequately stress-relived to reduce any future distortion, while others have hand-scraped sliding surfaces, ensuring full bearing support. One model even features a unique saddle base design that enables the entire base to slide out manually or via power feed from the operator.
Whatever product or material you are in the business of machining, visit Machinery Values for a multi-talented bed mill at a reasonable cost.
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