CNC Milling

Dr. Azhar Equbal

Dept. of Mechanical Engineerng
CNC Milling (Horizonal)
 CNC milling is a machining process which employs
computerized controls and rotating multi-point cutting
tools to progressively remove material from the workpiece
and produce a custom-designed part or product.

 This process is suitable for machining a wide range of

materials, such as metal, plastic, glass, and wood, and
producing a variety of custom-designed parts and
products.

 CNC milling is a mechanical machining process along with

drilling, turning, and a variety of other machining
processes, meaning that material is removed from the
workpiece via mechanical means, such as the actions of
the milling machine’s cutting tools.   
 CNC milling process utilizes computerized controls to
operate and manipulate machine tools which cut and shape
stock material.

 The process follows the same basic production stages

which all CNC machining processes do:

 Designing a CAD model

 Converting the CAD model into a CNC program
 Setting up the CNC milling machine
 Executing the milling operation
 CNC milling begins with the creation of a 2D or 3D CAD part
design.

 Completed design is exported to a CNC-compatible file

format and converted by CAM software into a CNC machine
program which dictates the actions of the machine and the
movements of the tooling across the workpiece.

 Before the operator runs the CNC program, they prepare

the CNC milling machine by affixing the workpiece to the
machine’s work surface (i.e., worktable) or work holding
device (e.g., vise), and attaching the milling tools to the
machine spindle.
The CNC milling process employs horizontal or vertical CNC-
enabled milling machines—depending on the specifications
and requirements of the milling application—and rotating
multi-point cutting tools, such as mills and drills.

When the machine is ready, the operator launches the

program via the machine interface prompting the machine
to execute the milling operation.

 Once the CNC milling process is initiated, the machine

begins rotating the cutting tool at speeds reaching up to
thousands of RPM. Depending on the type of milling
machine employed and the requirements of the milling
application, as the tool cuts into the workpiece, the
machine will perform one of the following actions to
produce the necessary cuts on the workpiece:
 Slowly feed the workpiece into the stationary, rotating tool.
 Move the tool across the stationary workpiece.
 Move both the tool and workpiece in relation to each
other.

 CNC Milling Machine Components

Most machines largely share the same basic components.
These shared machine parts include the:
 Machine interface
 Machine tool
 Column and Knee
 Saddle
 Worktable
 Spindle
 Arbor
 Ram
CNC Milling Machine Configurations and
Components
 Machine interface: The machine interface refers to the
machine component the operator uses to the load, initiate,
and execute the CNC machine program.

 Column: The column refers to the machine component

which provides support and structure to all other machine
components. This component includes an affixed base and
can include additional internal components which aid the
milling process, such as oil and coolant reservoirs.

 Knee: The knee refers to the adjustable machine

component which is affixed to the column and provides
support to the saddle and worktable. This component is
adjustable along the Z-axis (i.e., able to be raised or
lowered) depending on the specifications of the milling
operation.
 Saddle: The saddle refers to the machine component
located on top of the knee, supporting the worktable. This
component is capable of moving parallel to the axis of the
spindle, which allows the worktable, and by proxy the
workpiece, to be horizontally adjusted.

 Worktable: The worktable refers to the machine

component located on top of the saddle, which the
workpiece or work holding device (e.g., chuck or vise) is
fastened. Depending on the type of machine employed,
this component is adjustable in the horizontal, vertical,
both, or neither direction.
 Spindle: The spindle refers to the machine component
supported by the column which holds and runs the
machine tool (or arbor) employed. Within the column, an
electric motor drives the rotation of the spindle.
 Arbor: The arbor refers to the shaft component inserted
into the spindle in horizontal milling machines in which
multiple machine tools can be mounted. These components
are available in various lengths and diameters depending on
the specifications of the milling application. The types of
arbors available include standard milling machine, screw,
slitting saw milling cutter, end milling cutter, and shell end
milling cutter arbors.

 Ram: The ram refers to the machine component, typically

in vertical milling machines, located on top of and affixed to
the column which supports the spindle. This component is
adjustable to accommodate different positions during the
milling operation.
 Machine tool: The machine tool represents the machine
component held by the spindle which performs the material
removal operation.
 The milling process can employ a wide range of milling
machine tools (typically multi-point cutters) depending on
the specifications of the milling application—e.g., the
material being milled, quality of the surface finish
required, machine orientation, etc.
 Machine tools can vary based on the number,
arrangement, and spacing of their teeth, as well as their
material, length, diameter, and geometry.
 Some of the types of horizontal milling machine tools
employed include plane, form relieved, staggered tooth,
and double angle mills, while vertical milling machine tools
employed include flat and ball end, chamfer, face, and
twist drill mills.
Millings machines can also use drilling, boring, reaming, and
tapping tools to perform other machining operations.