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The Shift to Horizontal Machining

Because HMCs are easier to run unattended, produce a greater number and variety of parts without human intervention, and can offset the cost of training personnel, more shops are investing in them to compete for high-mix, low-volume business in a market where skilled labor is in short supply.

Posted: October 31, 2019

For machining titanium, Inconel and tough alloys that are common in aerospace, power generation and other high-value applications, the rugged HU100-TS 100 tilt-spindle 5-axis horizontal machining center from Mitsui Seiki processes large, heavy, hard-metal parts that are better suited for tilt-spindle processing than trunnion table operations. Its fixed table and tilting head arrangement facilitates production of parts up to 76 in long and 50 in diameter that weigh 4,400 lb. It also permits the use of shorter, more rigid tooling.

More metalworking shops are investing in horizontal machining centers to compete for high-mix, low-volume business in a market where skilled labor is in short supply. Why? Because HMCs are easier to run unattended, produce a greater number of parts and a greater variety of parts without human intervention, and can offset the cost of training personnel. If your shop is making the shift to horizontal machining, here is some of the latest machinery and tooling to consider:

Tilt-Spindle Machining of Large, Hard-Metal Parts
For aerospace manufacturers and others machining tough alloys, the HU100-TS 100 tilt-spindle 5-axis horizontal machining center from Mitsui Seiki combines the flexibility and automation of an HMC with the rigidity, accuracy and reliability of heavy-duty construction.

Low Cost + Small Size = Big Return on Investment
Ideal for high-volume machining, the state-of-the-art Tongtai SH-4000P high-speed horizontal machining center from Absolute Machine Tools delivers more parts per hour than competitive machines costing much more.

More Throughput Per Spindle for General Machining Work
The MMH 500 horizontal machining center from MAG Automotive comes standard with 60 m/min linear-axis speed and 12,000 rpm direct drive spindle for more machine throughput per spindle and high-speed cutting capabilities.

Next Steps in Lean Horizontal Machining
The compact Kiwa KH-4500kai horizontal machining center from Methods Machine Tools eliminates all possible wasted space, provides one of the largest work envelopes in its class, and is the fastest in its machine class.

Click & Clamp Centering Vise Reduces Set-Up Times
The GARANT Xtric centering vise from Hoffmann Group is equipped with a chuck jaw quick-change system that reduces set-up times when clamping blanks and finished parts.

Jaw Nuts and Keys for Safer, More Productive Machining
Dill ISO jaw nuts and keys from Dillon Manufacturing are made from 4140 heat-treated steel to provide superior wear and impact resistance, higher tensile strength and better life when machining with higher horsepower, larger cuts and faster machine speeds.

Modular Fixturing for Extreme Versatility in Machining
To save time and material cost when changing jobs, the X-PLATE System from Mitee-Bite is an extremely versatile modular fixturing platform that provides many mounting options for 3-axis, 4-axis and 5-axis applications.

How to Shorten High-Feed Milling Cycle Times
For challenging parts used in mold and die, aerospace, and oil and gas operations, LP09 inserts for HighFeed 2 cutter bodies from Seco Tools eliminate long cycle times for high-feed face milling, helical interpolation, slotting, side milling, pocketing and plunging.