What is a turret milling machine?

The turret milling machine is also called a knee-type milling machine. It is a machine tool used for machining workpieces by swarf removal. This type of milling machine falls within the vertical milling machines, since the milling cutter (a cutting tool fitted in the spindle) rotates about its axis, which is horizontal and, at the same time, perpendicular to the workpiece being machined.

What is a turret milling machine like?

Among the many types of vertical milling machine we find the turret milling machine. As already described, here the milling cutter, which is the cutting tool of all milling machines, rotates about a horizontal axis which, in turn, is perpendicular to the body of the machine. The spindle remains stationary while the workpiece is being machined and the worktable makes horizontal and vertical movements.

Like the vast majority of milling machines, it is a very versatile machine thanks to the large number of jobs that can be carried out on it; in addition, of course, it offers the possibility of creating workpieces of different shapes. It also has a quill that can make cuts of different depths and only needs to be raised and lowered.

How does it differ from other milling machines?

If you are wondering what makes this milling machine different from the rest and why it is a good option for your machining workshop, you should know that the key is in the spindle. But let us take it step by step. There are two types of milling machines: horizontal and vertical; they differ from each other in the way the spindle or cutting tool is positioned in the machine. In addition, there are universal milling machines, which have a spindle to hold the horizontal toolholder; the head is fixed to the spindle itself and the milling machine works vertically.

And turret machines? Interestingly, on this type of machine the spindle is vertical and stays fixed during the machining or cutting of workpieces. The only part of the milling machine that moves is the table, on which the workpiece to be cut is fixed.

Characteristics and operation

The turret milling machine is characterised by having a quill that makes the worktable move up and down and vice versa. This allows cuts of a certain depth to be made, but shallow cuts can also be made in the metal; thanks to this mechanism, the work carried out on this machine is said to be complex and difficult to carry out on other machines.

Thanks to a lever located beneath the table and the quill, the operator can handle the machine in such a way that vertical cuts are made in the metal. This is something that is difficult on other types of vertical milling machine, where the table moves at an angle of 90 degrees to the spindle, which, in turn, remains aligned with the axis. These milling machines make the operators' work easier by moving perpendicularly and in parallel. In addition, with these machines it is not necessary to cut the workpieces beforehand.

There are two types of turret milling machine: manual and automatic. On the former, the operator has to actuate the movement of the table to make the cuts. On the latter, all that needs to be done is to program the machine so that it knows what it has to do.

Uses and benefits of the turret milling machine

The vertical turret milling machine is used for machining metal parts using surface milling, as well as for creating angles on surfaces and slots in those same surfaces or workpieces. It is a very versatile machine tool that can be used in many industries, from the metalworking industry for manufacturing parts to the oil and marine industries.

This type of milling machine has three table movements: longitudinal, vertical and cross, and through them it is possible to obtain very rapid variations in power. Thanks to a mould on the worktable, very accurate parts with a high-quality finish can be obtained.

Accessories and tools of the knee-type milling machine

The milling cutter is the standard accessory or tool not only of the turret milling machine but of all types of milling machines available on the market. This is the cutting tool par excellence of this machine and is characterised by its diameter, number of teeth and the spacing between them, or pitch. However, it also comprises a number of other accessories, such as bolts. There are other accessories that can be fitted to this type of milling machine, such as the universal milling head and a circular table. In addition, milling chuck collets and mechanical machine vices can be added.