Often times, customers who need our services have questions about the difference between CNC sliding head and CNC vertical machining. They wonder how similar they are and which one is right for them. While there are different advantages and applications for both types of CNC machining, these are actually completely different processes and they choose which one depends on the particular job.
CNC sliding head typically involves the use of a Swiss-style screw machine that drives the bar stock to create a cylindrical part. Specifically, there is a 12 ft bar at the rear of the machine with automatic bar loaders where 15-20 bars can be placed and fed into the machine. The tools work while the rod is pushed forward through a guide bush. There are multiple tools and multiple axes on a given machine that can be used to complete the part. With this kind of complexity, there aren’t too many parts that cannot be completed from the screw machine.
Low volume production from 1000 units to high volumes can be done with this process. This service is used by many industries, from automotive and aviation to fiber optics and electronics. The processes include drilling, turning, milling, drilling, knurling and many special operations (deep hole drilling, threading, hobbing, etc.)
Alternatively, vertical machining is done for parts and can be used for any volume of parts, from prototypes to heavy volumes. This process involves the machining of forging, casting, slabs or steel blocks. For higher production, special fixtures and palletizing systems are produced to facilitate the volume efficiently. Tool changers on the machine store multiple tools, and the machine takes one tool for operation, puts it back, selects the next tool and repeats the process until the product is processed. Fixtures can hold any number of pieces, from about one to forty.
Vertical Machining is generally used in the medical / dental industry (dental instruments, surgical instruments, etc.), electronics, aerospace, automotive and many more. The operations performed include drilling, milling, drilling, contouring and counter drilling.
We can skillfully perform each of these services to the highest quality and to the tightest tolerances and guide you as to which one is best for you.
