Classification of composite machine tools

Compound machine tools can be roughly divided into three categories: the first category is compound processing machine tools with turning as the main body, such as turning and milling compound centers, small five-axis turning and milling compound centers, turning and milling compound processing units, etc.; the second category is compound processing machine tools with milling as the main body, such as five-axis bar machining centers; the third category is turning and grinding compound processing machines and inverted turning and grinding compound centers.

 Compound processing machine tools use dual spindles, dual tool holders, and nine-axis control, which can achieve four to five-axis linkage. The machine tool can complete all turning, milling, and drilling processes in one installation.

  (1) Turning-based type

  A compound processing machine that mainly performs turning processing is a turning compound center (turning and milling center). The turning compound center is a processing machine based on a lathe. In addition to turning tools, the tool holder is also equipped with a rotary cutter capable of milling. It can process grooves and flat surfaces on round workpieces and rod-shaped workpieces. This type of compound processing machine often has two spindles that hold the workpieces. It can process the two workpieces at the same time, or it can also complete the processing of the clamped parts by alternately clamping on the two spindles.

  (2) Milling-based type

 Milling-based mainly refers to the compounding of machining centers and the multi-axis machining centers. A hybrid machine tool (mill-turn center) based on milling machining centers is equipped with a power rotary table that can perform turning in addition to milling. In addition to the three-axis control of X, Y, and Z, the five-axis control processing machine tool can rotate each feed axis to a specific angular position and position it to adapt to changes in the tool posture. The six-axis controlled compound processing machine tool can simulate complex-shaped workpieces for processing.

  (3) Mainly grinding type

 Multi-axis grinding machines were originally only seen on centerless grinders. Most of them were developed for the purpose of automating loading and unloading operations. Compound processing machines that can complete internal circle, external circle, and end face grinding on one machine tool were developed. For example, in foreign countries, a hybrid processing machine with integrated thread and spline grinding functions has been developed.

  (4) Compounding of processing of different types of work

 Using compound machine tools for processing can shorten the production cycle of workpieces and improve the processing accuracy of workpieces. In order to improve productivity, the development and manufacturing of CNC compound machining machine tools has become a development trend of CNC machine tools. The development of compound machining technology will bring great changes to future production. The factory's production model, production organization, and production management will change, indicating that a processing era is coming, that is, directly processing the blank into a finished workpiece on a machine tool, sending it to assembly and final assembly, realizing true lean production with no work in progress, no semi-finished products, and no finished product warehouse.