Turret Milling Machines

What is a turret milling machine?

Turret milling machines, also called knee-type milling machines, are a type of industrial machining machine that works by means of metal-cutting mechanisms.

They are vertical milling machines, since the tool-holding spindle is located perpendicular to the workpiece and its cutter rotates on its horizontal axis.

On turret milling machines the spindle remains stationary throughout all cutting operations, as it is the table that moves horizontally or vertically, bringing the workpiece towards the cutter. They also have a movable quill that can be used to make cuts in the workpieces at different depths.

Thanks to its mobility features, it can produce a wide variety of products.

Features of turret milling machines

One of the most important features of turret milling machines is that they have a quill that can move up or down. By using this quill in combination with the movement of the lever located under the table, it is possible to make vertical cuts in the metal.

In addition, the spindle of vertical milling machines is characterised by being at an angle of ninety degrees. Also, the spindle always stays aligned with its axis, regardless of the actions carried out with the turret milling machine.

Another feature of turret milling machines is that their movement is also parallel and perpendicular. This makes it easier to cut any workpiece. It also reduces or avoids the need for pre-cutting the workpieces, because not having to move the spindle, only the table, allows greater accuracy in operations.

Because the worktable and slideway of these milling machines incorporate a hardened, high-quality mould, the highest accuracy in producing parts is guaranteed.

Turret milling machines are available on the market in manual or automatic versions, depending on the make and year of manufacture of the machine. Manual turret milling machines require the operator to carefully control the movement of the table to obtain the highest cutting accuracy on the workpiece.

Automatic ones, for their part, require certain parameters to be entered so that the machine knows exactly what kind of job it has to do, achieving perfect accuracy when carrying out high-volume operations. It is worth noting that the system that automates turret milling machines is called CNC and is set up by computer.

This automation process requires the workpiece to be designed digitally, so supporting software exists to make this task easier, so that the necessary instructions can be sent to the milling machine to carry out accurate work.

Functions of turret milling machines

The functions of turret milling machines include industrial operations such as reshaping surface angles, preparing slots, preparing inclined surfaces and plain milling.

These processes use cutting mechanisms such as disc cutters, form cutters, angle cutters and face mills for metal surfaces. The industries that use this type of machinery most are metalworking, shipbuilding and oil.

As regards the functions that turret milling machines can perform, these are helical grooves, dovetails and cams, gear milling and cutting. In addition, regardless of whether it is a manual or automatic turret milling machine, the cross, vertical and longitudinal movements of the table can be carried out manually.

If these actions are carried out manually, the power levels can be varied in the same way, so as to set them to the optimum values for the workpiece.

Accessories compatible with turret milling machines

Turret milling machines are designed to be compatible with certain types of accessory that can give them new features. The most common accessory for this type of milling machine is the bolt.

The tools compatible with this type of machine are characterised by having teeth and an outside diameter suited to the clamping systems fitted to the milling machines.

Using accessories extends the milling possibilities of the machines in most cases. However, some tools do not add new functions but are intended to optimise accuracy, quality and productivity when working with the turret milling machine.

Some accessories are considered optional for turret milling machines, since they do not involve significant changes to the processes these machines can perform. These accessories are the rotary table, the universal milling head, milling chuck collets and the mechanical bench vice.

Other machines you may be interested in

• Industrial milling machines
• Combination turret milling machines
• Universal milling machines

Unsure which machine to choose? Talk to a Heller technician.