Vertical Mill
Check workholding, cutter clearance and cutting settings; recognize the different categories for manual and CNC mills.
Manual mill: Category 3; CNC mill: Category 2 in the Metals lab
Manual mill: Category 3; CNC mill: Category 2 in the Metals lab
A vertical mill uses a rotating cutter to remove material held in a vise or clamps. See Vertical Mill Anatomy and Motion for the machine's parts.
The manual mill is Category 3 in the Metals lab; the CNC mill is Category 2 there. Use Equipment Categories and Supervision for the corresponding permission and supervision requirements.
Start with Equipment Operating Procedure, Personal Protective Equipment, Machine Hazards and Housekeeping and Metal Chips and Swarf. For the Tormach workflow, use Vertical Mill Startup, Setup and Shutdown; its controller sequence is not a startup sequence for a manual mill.
Check clamping, cutter travel and cutting settings before the cut; Checklist
Check clamping, cutter travel and cutting settings before the cut
In our labs, check and recheck the workpiece clamping before beginning an operation.
- Check the vise or clamps and the cutter's retention. Confirm the tool can follow the planned path without striking the workholding.
- Identify the closing gaps between the moving table, workholding and machine frame. Keep the planned travel clear.
- Check spindle speed, feed, depth of cut and width of cut for the planned operation.
- Check coolant and slide lubrication as directed for the installed mill. Report low levels, damage or a maintenance need rather than adjusting the machine's sliding fits yourself.
- Complete the installed mill's guard and emergency-stop checks from Equipment Operating Procedure and Machine Hazards and Housekeeping.
A rotating cutter and a moving table create different hazards
A rotating cutter and a moving table create different hazards
The cutter can cut or catch what touches it; the table can close a gap against the column, vise or clamps. Keep clear of both the cutting area and the table's travel. CNC motion follows the program, so a pause in motion is not permission to reach in.
Use Machine Hazards and Housekeeping for stopping before measurements and for isolation before adjustments or maintenance. Use Metal Chips and Swarf for chip removal, including the required controls if compressed air is used.
If a tool breaks or the work comes loose, step away
If a tool breaks or the work comes loose, step away
In our labs, step away if a tool breaks or the workpiece becomes loose. Stop the mill if it is safe to do so; do not endanger yourself to reach a control. Notify the instructor in every case.
If injured, ask for help and follow Lab Conduct and Emergencies. For normal shutdown use the installed mill's procedure and Equipment Operating Procedure; the Tormach sequence is in Vertical Mill Startup, Setup and Shutdown.