Mill Basics Flashcards
Arbor
A device used on a conventional milling machine to mount a mill horizontally.
Ballscrew
The threaded device that controls the precise movement of the various components of the mill.
Boring
The process of using a single-point tool to enlarge a preexisting hole.
Carbide Insert
A cutting bit made of hard material that has multiple cutting edges. Once a cutting edge is excessively worn, it can be indexed to another edge, or the insert can be replaced.
CNC Machining Center
A sophisticated CNC machine that can perform mulitiple machining operations in the same setup with a variety of tools.
Column
The vertical support, or backbone, of a milling machine.
Column-And-Knee Milling Machine
A basic type of milling machine whose spindle is mounted in the column, and whose worktable rests on an adjustable knee.
Contour
A curved surface or dimension that is cut into a workpiece.
Depth Of Cut
The thickness of material removed by one pass of the cutting tool.
Drilling
The process of using a multi-point tool to penetrate the surface of a workpiece and make a round hole.
End Mill
A thin, tall mill cutter with cutting edges that wind up the sides. Both the bottom and side of the end mill are used during milling operations. End mills resemble drills.
Face Mill
A flat mill cutter with multiple cutting teeth surrounding the tool. The bottom of the face mill is primarily used during milling operations.
Face Milling
A milling operation in which the surface of the workpiece is perpendicular to the spindle axis.
Feed
The rate that the cutting tool travels along the surface of the workpiece.
Fixture
A customized device that is used to position and hold a workpiece in place. On a mill, fixtures are normally used to machine flat surfaces parallel to the table.
Flange
A ring or collar surrounding the toolholder that allows the tool to be grasped by the toolchanger.
High-Speed Steel
A tool steel used to machine metals at high cutting speeds. High-speed steel stays hard at high temperatures and resists abrasion.
Horizontal Machining Center
A machining center with a spindle that is parallel to the ground floor.
Indexed
To rotate a carbide insert to present a new cutting edge.
Interrupted Cutting
A cutting process in which the cutting edge of the tool is not in constant contact with the surface of the workpiece.
Knee
The device supported by the elevating screw that raises and lowers and guides the back and forth motion of the saddle.
Machine Control Unit
A small, powerful computer that controls and operates a CNC machine.
Mill
A multi-point tool that is used to remove metal from the surface of a workpiece.
Milling Machine
A machine that uses a multi-point tool to remove metal from the surface of a workpiece.
Multi-Point Tool
A machining tool that has two or more cutting edges.
Pallet
An automatic moveable table that supports a workpiece and slides or pivots into and out of the machining center. Multiple pallets allow an operator to set up a part while another is being machined.
Part Program
A series of numerical instructions used by a CNC machine to perform the necessary sequence of operations to machine a specific workpiece.
Peripheral Milling
A milling operation in which the cutting edge of the mill is parallel to the axis of spindle rotation.
An interior recess that is cut into the surface of a workpiece.
Pot
One of the numerous slots of the toolchanger that holds a cutting tool in its toolholder.
Reaming
The process of using a cutting tool with straight cutting edges to enlarge or smooth holes that have been previously drilled.
Retention Knob
An knob screwed into the end of the toolholder that locks the tool in place within the spindle.
Servomotor
A special motor used in CNC machines that turns the ballscrew to move parts with precision.
Slot
A narrow channel cut into the surface of a workpiece.
Speed
The rate at which the cutting edge of the tool moves past the workpiece surface at the point of contact. On a mill, speed determines how fast the spindle rotates.
Spindle
The rotating device that holds and spins the toolholder and cutting tool on the mill.
Tapered Shank
The long, narrow portion of a toolholder that is typically shaped like a cone.
Tapping
The process of cutting internal threads in a workpiece with a multi-point tool.
Toolchanger
A device that arranges multiple cutting tools in order and then positions these cutting tools for replacement in the machining center.
Toolholder
The device used to rigidly hold a cutting tool in place. Toolholders are available in standardized sizes.
Vertical Machining Center
A machining center with a spindle that is perpendicular to the ground floor.
Vise
A workholding device with two jaws that grip and hold a workpiece in place.
Workholder
A device used to position and hold a workpiece in place.
Workpiece
A part that is being machined.
Worktable
The part of a machine tool that supports the workpiece and any work holding devices.
