Milling Machine Reviewer - Types, Parts, Accessories & Attachments

Vocabulary flashcards covering milling machine types, key historical events, principal parts, accessories, attachments, and essential safety rules.

1772

The year metal was first removed using a rotary cutting tool.

1818

The year Eli Whitney invented the Plain Milling Machine.

1850

The year Lincoln Miller was produced and widely used in the U.S.

1861

The year Joseph R. Brown (Brown & Sharpe Co.) invented the prototype of the present Universal Milling Machine.

Milling machine

Power-driven machine that cuts metal using a multitooth rotating cutter; the workpiece is fed to the cutter (unlike a lathe, where the work revolves, or a planer/shaper, where it reciprocates).

Milling

Process of removing material with a rotating multiple-tooth cutting tool called a milling cutter.

Spindle (Basics)

Power-driven part of the machine; holds the arbor.

Arbor (Basics)

Holds the multitooth cutter; fits into the spindle.

Table feed

Table moves the workpiece against the cutter by hand feed or power feed.

Knee and Column type

Group of machines with a knee; includes Plain Horizontal, Vertical, and Universal.

Plain Horizontal

For general milling work; spindle is mounted horizontally.

Vertical

Mostly for end milling; spindle is mounted vertically in a milling head that can swivel and move up and down.

Universal

Table can swivel left or right, so it can mill things like helical flutes.

Fixed Bed

No knee; table moves longitudinally and transversely; spindle carrier moves up and down the headstock (column).

Manufacturing

For quantity production of machine parts; face milling, end milling, and special shapes using arbor-mounted cutters.

Special

Designed for a specific operation on particular pieces of work.

Column

Main casting (with the base) that supports all other parts; its face guides the knee's vertical travel.

Overarm

Mounted on top of the column; supports the arbor; adjustable and can be tightened in any position.

Table

Holds the workpiece; rests on the saddle's dovetailed guides; T-slots align the job or fixture.

Spindle (Principal Part)

Holds and drives the cutting tools; a shaft on bearings in the column, driven by an electric motor through gears.

Saddle

Supports the table; guided by the machined surfaces of the knee.

Knee

Supports the saddle; encloses the feed-change gearing; can be raised or lowered on the column face.

Milling accessories

Tools used to hold the cutting tool and to rotate the workpiece.

Milling attachment

Device mounted on the milling machine so a wider range of operations can be done.

Arbor (Accessory)

Shaft from the spindle to the outer end of the overarm; tapered end fits the spindle, key groove secures the cutters.

Spacing collars

Separate the cutters along the arbor during gang milling.

Stub arbor

Holds only one overhung cutter; useful when working close to the spindle (e.g., face mill arbor, shell end mill arbor).

Quick change mounting

Special spindle adaptor + collets for taper-shank tools; good for production work with many different cutters.

Cam lock mounting

Special spindle adaptor with no collets; tool shanks fit the adaptor directly.

Fly cutter adaptor

Mounts a single-point cutter (like a lathe cutter); used when no suitable standard cutter is available.

Taper shank adaptor

Holds parallel-shank cutters in the spindle; secured with a draw bolt.

Spring collet chuck

Alternative to the taper shank adaptor; each one fits only a single shank size.

Tailstock

Mounted on a slide on the table; supports the end of a workpiece or mandrel held between centers.

Carrier

Used with the drive plate to make the workpiece rotate with the center.

Driver plate

Drives the carrier, which clamps the workpiece.

Centers

Hardened steel devices with a taper shank on one end and a $60^\circ$ point on the other; support long workpieces.

Steady rest

Bolted to the table; supports long workpieces during milling.

Indexing head chuck

Work-holding device that grips work of various sizes using adjustable jaws.

Vertical attachment

Mounts on the column, driven by the spindle; lets plain and universal machines do vertical milling; spindle can be angled and set using a graduated scale.

High speed attachment

Drives small milling cutters at high speeds using step-up gearing; fits vertical or horizontal machines.

Universal spiral attachment

For milling spirals on plain machines; useful for helical threads, gears, worms, and racks.

Motorised overarm attachment

Replaces the overarm; has a reversible motor, gear box, and double swivel head; tools can be set at any angle.

Slotting attachment

Gives a reciprocating drive to a single-point tool; cuts keyways, slots, and corners; head swivels $360^\circ$.

Circular table attachment

For profile milling, surfacing small pieces, and circular operations; has a base, worm gear drive, and small circular table; fits plain, universal, and vertical machines.

Rack attachment

Mounts between the column face and outer support; cross feed moves the cutter into the work, longitudinal feed indexes the cutter to make rack teeth.

Rack indexing attachment

Gives accurate spacing of rack teeth using an indexing wheel and change gears; more reliable than setting the table by dial.

Work setup safety rule

Set up work securely in the vise, and fasten the vise tightly to the table.

Cutters safety rule

Key them to the arbor, run in the correct direction, and always use sharp cutters in good condition.

Arbor nut safety rule

Keep the overarm in place when loosening or tightening; lock the machine or set it to lowest RPM to remove the nut.

Before running safety rule

Turn the machine by hand first to make sure it is clear; check that stops are adjusted properly.

Power off safety rule

Make sure power is off when changing arbors, cutters, or setups, and stop the machine before measuring.

Cutting oil safety rule

Use when necessary; apply as the cutter leaves the work and keep the spray from touching the revolving cutter.

Speed and cut safety rule

Never exceed the correct cutting speed; don't take too heavy a cut or use too rapid a feed.

Table safety rule

Don't place wrenches, hammers, or tools on the table.

Attendance safety rule

Always stay at the machine while it is running.

Protection safety rule

Use a cutter guard when possible; always wear safety goggles.

Up milling safety rule

If the machine has no lost motion adjustment, use "up" milling only.

Hands off safety rule

Never touch the running cutter; remove chips with a brush or chip hook, not your fingers.