Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs): Features, Benefits & Expert Guide

If you work in a manufacturing shop, chances are you have a vertical machining center. They are very versatile, easy to use, and compared to many other types of machining equipment, relatively low in cost. VMCs have been around for many years, but thanks to technology, they are easier and more versatile than ever. Widely available in many types and sizes, they can perform quickly to cut your overall production cost.

What is a Vertical Machining Center?

Vertical Machining, which is also called milling, uses rotary cutters to remove metal from a workpiece through a computer controlled drive system. Vertical machining works on a vertical machining center that uses a spindle with a vertical orientation to the table. A vertically oriented spindle has tools that stick straight down from the tool holder and usually cut across the top or through a workpiece. Once done manually, they are now computer programmable, which opens their abilities and allows them to perform more tasks, faster. 

Often equipped with automated devices such as tool changers and rotary tables these advancements help maximize the productivity of a VMC saving the operator from the timely tasks of manually changing tools or repositioning the workpiece for further operations. 

The Axis's and Parts of a VMC

Most VMC machines have three axes, the X, Y, and Z-axis. The term ‘axis’ stands for a system of positioning controlled by the CNC. A 3 Axis machine refers to the number of motors that can be individually or synchronously driven for positional control of the tool allowing complex contours to be machined. 

The Axis are defined in respect to the spindle's orientation and the X-axis moves the table (and workpiece) from left to right. The Y-axis is controls that same table in a front to back motion whereas the Z-axis controls the spindle up and down. On a standard 3-axis VMC, the cutter remains in the vertical direction. In VMC’s additionally there can be a 4th or even 5th axis as well to increase the benefits of the VMC.

The other parts of the VMC are:

• The table, which is where the workpiece is mounted to be worked on and shaped.
• The tool changer, which allows the quick change of tools being used for different jobs.
• Cooling System which is usually some type of liquid like oil or more commonly water and soluble oil.
• Rotating tables that help productivity by turning a simple three-axis machine into a four- or even five-axis system, for more complex jobs.

Benefits of a CNC Vertical Machining Center

There are many advantages to using the VMC as a Milling machine but it also has advantages over it’s sister process, the horizontal machining center. 

• The workpiece is easy to clamp on using general clamps such as flat-nose clamps, toe-clamps, vises, fixture plates, indexing heads, and rotary tables.
• The tool motion is easy to observe, which makes any potential problems easy to spot, so processing or modification can be stopped quickly and reprogrammed.
• The cooling system is also easy to use, so the cooling/lubricating liquid can directly reach the tool and the machining surface.
• With higher pressure coolant, chips are easily removed from the workzone to avoid the chips from balling up and thus scratching the workpiece surface.
• Compared with the corresponding horizontal machining center, the structure is simple, the area is small, and the price is low

They are versatile, programable, and  inexpensive, which allows you to be more productive.

Comparing VMCs - Brands, Pricing and New vs Used

There are plenty of varieties of machines to choose from, all with various features and options. They also come in a variety of sizes, so what you get will need to depend on what you will be cutting, your purchasing budget and how much floor space you have.

Many of these machines are very well made and are combined with excellent technology to make them easy and fast to use and set up.  You can often find quality used VMC’s to save money on your initial investment.

Take a look through our inventory for new and used equipment. If you don’t see what you are looking for, contact one of our sales team. We can always help you find what you need.