Each style has unique advantages and limitations.
Several
types of milling cuts can be made by either the horizontal or vertical spindled
machines. Often the choice of the machine type will depend on the depth and
width of the desired cut, the power required, the preferred style of cutter and
the time allotted for setup.
Mills generally have four axes: Table X,
Table Y, Table Z, and Milling Head Z. Table references the movement of the
table in the proposed direction. The Head is in reference the vertical
movement of the head. Five and six axis CNC machines have extra axes for
the horizontal milling head giving extra flexibility. Here are example of
the types of operations performed by vertical and horizontal milling
machines:
