Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best 3 Axis Gantry Type Machining Center

Getting a gantry type CNC machine is an excellent idea to boost efficiency and productivity. You always want to focus on quality and value; doing that will offer exceptional results and a wonderful experience. With that in mind, gantry milling machines have a gantry frame and a horizontal, long bed. A gantry CNC machine is different because its surface can be machined with various cutters.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

The CNC gantry milling machine is excellent for working on larger workpieces with 5 sides or more. The large gantry CNC machines offer you the capacity to do all of this within a single setup. These machines also provide multitasking features, including laser hardening, grinding, turning, milling, and even drilling.

Learning how to choose a gantry CNC machine

The challenge of picking a gantry type CNC machine is that you can find many different options on the market. With so many different features to look for, it becomes very difficult to narrow down the exact things you should be looking for. When you try to buy a gantry CNC machine from a reliable CNC gantry machining center, these are all the different features you want to consider!

Gantry configuration types

What many people don’t know about a CNC gantry milling machine is that there are different models to choose from here. The 3-axis CNC model usually comes with the X, Y, and Z axis; each one is adjusted to fit requirements and needs accordingly. You can also find larger models with multiple axis features. Then there are also fixed and moving gantry models.

Fixed gantry

The fixed gantry is a very common gantry machine and its efficiency comes from stability and reliability. It stays in a single place, which is very helpful because you can work on your project within the premises. There’s no need for mobility, however this is ideal for smaller pieces.

Moving gantry

If you need portability or have the opportunity to work on larger models, a moving gantry becomes necessary. Fixed gantry models are great for smaller projects, but sometimes you need a moving gantry machine to work on larger items.

A moving gantry’s X and Z axis are on a gantry beam. It’s that beam which moves in the linear Y direction. It’s helpful because it adds more functionality without restricting you in any way. Instead, you have the freedom to move your machine and adapt it to your particular project.

With that in mind, the piece you are working on is set directly on the table, and the table itself is stationary. Here just the gantry beam moves, and it all follows your chosen design.

Things to look out for when buying a gantry CNC machine

The purchase of a gantry machine is very tricky, since you always want to ensure you buy the right model. Aside from the gantry machine type, there are a variety of features you need to think about as well. Here are some of the most important ones!

Build complexity

When you want to choose a gantry type CNC machine, build complexity is undoubtedly one of the deciding factors. A fixed gantry has limitations since you don’t have many moving parts. A moving gantry is mechanically dependent on components, but it offers a lot more variety and still delivers an exceptional result. That’s why we highly recommend going for a moving gantry 5 axis CNC machine, as it’s usually the best option on the market. Then we have to think about rigidity too.

Our Products

YSM23/27 Series: 2-line tracks and 1-hard rail.

Model YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- Travel X/Y/Z mm //800 //800 //800 //960 //960 Model YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM-Ram Travel X/Y/Z mm // // // //

//

Optional Z axis

YSMV Series: 3-line tracks.

Model YSMV- YSMV- YSMV- Travel X/Y/Z mm //800 //800 // YSMV- YSMV- YSMV- YSMV- // // // //

YSM28/32 Ram Series: 2-line tracks and 1-hard rail.

Model YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- Travel X/Y mm / / / / / / Z mm (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , )

YSM34/42 Ram Series: 2-line tracks and 1-hard rail.

Model YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- YSM- Travel X/Y mm / / / / / / Z mm (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , ) (Optional , )

YSMD Series:

Model YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- Travel X/Y/Z mm // // // // Model YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- Travel X/Y/Z mm // // // // Model YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- Travel X/Y/Z mm // // // // Model YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- YSMD- Travel X/Y/Z mm // // // //

Can you cut heavy parts?

Heavy parts can be challenging to cut when you have a fixed gantry CNC machine. Such items can benefit from a moving gantry machine because it can allow you to move the item around. As you do that, you can entirely cut everything and eliminate any possible problems or issues that can sometimes arise in these situations.

How accurate is the CNC machine?

Sure, even if the device is able to cut heavy parts, you still want to see whether it can do that accurately. A gantry CNC machine is usually very accurate, but you’re getting more accuracy with a fixed unit. Due to the moving parts, a moving gantry is not always offering the accuracy you want. Yet it’s still an exceptional solution, especially if you want to cut thicker materials. Plus, the ability to move that cutting head around is undoubtedly convenient. Yet, if you want to focus on accuracy, a fixed gantry type CNC machine is usually the better option.

Maintenance requirements

Maintenance is another major aspect when it comes to choosing a gantry CNC machine! A lot of people might overlook maintenance for an excellent reason. In most cases, the focus is on speed and quality, not on repairs or preventing any repairs in the first place. With that in mind, understanding maintenance requirements is very important, and that’s undoubtedly a thing to keep in mind.

Generally, the more moving parts you have for your gantry type CNC machine, the more maintenance you need. That’s why fixed gantry CNC machines tend to require less maintenance. That doesn’t mean it’s mandatory; however, you will notice that fixed gantry machines are usually the top option you need to keep in mind. With that in mind, complexity can be a factor.

It would help if you saw whether a more complex machine is necessary for you or not. Sticking to a more straightforward unit is usually the better option, and it will offer you a much better outcome. But remember, moving gantry models can deliver more flexibility, so you are getting both pros and cons, which is something to consider when buying this type of product.

One or two motors

Another thing you want to think about here is whether you want to go with one or two motors. That’s the challenge; a single motor comes with ease of use, whereas twin motors can bring more difficulty.

It is harder to track and manage, but you also need synchronization when you have two motors. While not impossible, it certainly adds that immediate sense of difficulty, and in the end, you will have a much better option if you stick with something simpler. Power is always important, sometimes you do need the 2 motor units. However, that might be pricey, and that’s why we think that pricing is just as important as many of the features shown here!

Pricing

Depending on the company which offers these CNC machines, you will have different price points. That’s the important thing here; you always have to be sure that you receive exceptional value for money. A gantry type CNC machine is expensive to begin with, but depending on your requirements, you will have some options that are cheaper than others.

According to our experience, fixed gantry CNC machines are usually cheaper. A moving gantry usually can have twin motors, which alone adds to the total costs. Then we also have moving parts, complex repairs, and extra maintenance. All of these things add up when it comes to the total costs.

As we know, each user has their requirements from a CNC gantry milling machine. But in the end, pricing will always matter, so you want to go with the best price possible. Sticking to your budget is a perfect idea, especially when there are so many different options to keep in mind. And once you try these for yourself, you will be thrilled with the experience and quality. Aside from price, you also want to see whether this is a rare product or not. Because there will be times when you want to find spare parts, and that’s certainly something to think about here.

Spare parts

Are spare parts easy to find or not? The truth is that many times you will end up trying to find spare parts, but those are not available. That’s the challenge; you always want to check the market and see if there’s spare part availability.

Power consumption

Power consumption can also be an essential factor if you have limited power within your work environment. Generally, you want to check and see power requirements, and then you can adjust the workspace. Either that, or you buy a gantry CNC machine that fits your power system. Power, just like speed, will always be major factors when it comes to selecting a powerful and easy to use gantry CNC machine!

Machine speed

Lastly, you want to see how fast the gantry CNC machine really is. Why is the feed rate significant? Feed rates will determine the overall speed of your manufacturing process. If you have a low feed rate, that becomes an issue. In this case, a quick feed rate is always the preferable option.

Conclusion

Link to Ling Yueyang

Definition

CNC machining center is a multi-functional computer-controlled automatic machine tool capable of milling, routing, boring, turning, drilling, tapping and cutting. It is a high-efficiency automatic machine tool suitable for processing complex parts composed of mechanical equipment and numerical control system. It has powerful comprehensive ability to perform multiple tasks at one time with high precision, and its batch processing efficiency is 5 to 10 times that of ordinary machine tools. It is more suitable for single-piece processing with complex shapes and high precision requirements or small and medium batch production of multiple varieties.

Types

Boring & Milling Center

It is used for boring and milling, and is suitable for multi-process processing of special curves and surface contours of boxes, shells and various complex parts. The term machining center generally refers to the boring and milling machining center, while other functional machines should be preceded by attributives, such as turning and drilling machining centers.

Drilling Center

It is based on drilling, and the tool magazine is mainly in the form of a turret head. It is suitable for multi-process processing such as drilling, reaming, reaming and tapping of small and medium-sized parts.

Turning Center

It is an upgraded version of a CNC lathe. It is equipped with a turret-type tool magazine or a tool magazine composed of a tool-changing manipulator and a chain-type tool magazine. Most CNC systems of machine tools are equipped with 2 or 3 axis servo axes, that is, X, Z, and C axes, and some high-performance turning centers are equipped with milling power heads.

Compound Machining Center

It can complete multi-process processing such as turning, milling, boring, and drilling on one device, which is called a compound working center, which can replace multiple machine tools to achieve multi-process processing. This method can not only reduce loading and unloading time, improve production efficiency, but also ensure and improve shape and position accuracy. The machine refers to the 5-sided composite machining center, and its spindle head can automatically rotate for vertical and horizontal processing.

According to the number of motion coordinates and the number of coordinates controlled at the same time, it can be divided into 3-axis 2-linkage, 3-axis 3-linkage, 4-axis 3-linkage, 5-axis 4-linkage, 6-axis 5-linkage, multi-axis linkage linear + rotary + spindle swing. Three-axis and 4-axis refer to the number of motion coordinates, and linkage refers to the number of coordinates that the control system can control at the same time, so as to realize the position and speed control of the tool relative to the workpiece.

Vertical Machining Center

It refers to the machining center with the spindle in a vertical state. Its structure is mostly a fixed column, the workbench is rectangular, without indexing and rotary function, suitable for processing discs, sleeves, and plate parts. It generally has 2 linear motion coordinate axes, and one can be installed on the workbench along the horizontal axis. Rotating rotary table for processing helical parts.

It is easy to operate, observe processing conditions, and debug programs. However, limited by the h8 of the column and the tool changer, parts that are too high cannot be processed. When processing a cavity or a concave surface, the chips are not easy to discharge. In severe cases, the tool will be damaged and the processed surface will be damaged, which will affect the smooth progress of processing.

Horizontal Machining Center

It refers to the machining center with the spindle in a horizontal state. It usually has a rotary table with automatic indexing. It generally has 3 to 5 motion coordinates. The common one is 3 linear motion coordinates plus one rotary motion coordinate. It is most suitable for adding box parts to the processing of the remaining 4 surfaces other than the surface. Compared with the vertical types, it is easy to remove chips during processing, which is beneficial to processing, but the structure is complex. The price is higher.

Gantry Machining Center

Its shape is similar to CNC gantry milling machine. Most of its spindles are set vertically. In addition to the automatic tool changer, it also has a replaceable spindle head attachment. The functions of the numerical control device are relatively complete, and it can be used for multiple purposes. It is especially suitable for processing large workpieces and workpieces with complex shapes.

Five-Axis Machining Center

It has the functions of vertical and horizontal machining centers. After the workpiece is installed once, the processing of the other 5 surfaces except the installation surface can be completed. It has 2 forms: one is that the main shaft can rotate 900, and the workpiece can be processed vertically and horizontally. The other is that the spindle does not change direction, but the worktable rotates 900 with the workpiece to complete the machining of the 5 surfaces of the workpiece.

Multi-Axis Machining Center

It has changed the structure of the traditional machine tool in the past. Through the movement of the connecting rod, the movement of the main shaft with multiple degrees of freedom is realized, and the processing of the complex curved surface of the workpiece is completed.

Features

Fully Enclosed Protection

It is usually equipped with a protective cover, which can effectively prevent personal injury accidents by closing the protective door during processing.

Automatic Tool Changing

It has a tool magazine and an automatic tool changer. Before processing, the required tools are loaded into the tool magazine, and the tool can be automatically replaced by program control during processing.

Continuous Machining

It has multiple feed axes (more than 3 axes), even multiple spindles, and there are many linkage axes, such as 3-axis, 5-axis and seven-axis linkage, so it can automatically complete multiple planes and multiple angle positions. Machining to achieve high-precision machining of complex parts. Milling, boring, drilling, expanding, reaming, tapping and other processing can be completed in one clamping, and the process is highly concentrated.

High Automation, High Precision, High Efficiency

Its spindle speed, feed speed and fast positioning accuracy are high. Through reasonable selection of cutting parameters, the cutting performance of the tool can be fully utilized, cutting time can be reduced, and the entire processing process is continuous, various auxiliary actions are fast, and the degree of automation is high. Auxiliary action time and downtime, therefore, the productivity is high.

Automatic Exchange Table

If it is equipped with an automatic exchange workbench, it can realize that one workbench is processing while another workbench completes the clamping of the workpiece, thereby greatly reducing the auxiliary time and improving the processing efficiency.

Multifunction

It has compound turning function, grinding and other functions. For example, the circular table can drive the workpiece to rotate at high speed, and the tool only performs the main movement without feeding, and completes similar turning processing, which makes it have a wider processing range.

High Investment

Due to its high degree of intelligence, complex structure and powerful functions, its one-time investment and daily maintenance costs are much higher than ordinary machine tools.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The degree of automation technology is high, with high productivity. In addition to manually clamping the blanks, the entire production process can be automatically completed by the CNC machining center. If it is equipped with automatic loading and unloading means, it is the basic construction stage of unmanned processing plants. It alleviates the work intensity of the operator and continuously improves the working conditions; it saves the process of line drawing, multiple clamping positioning, inspection and other process and auxiliary control, which reasonably and effectively enhances the productivity.

• Strong applicability to production and processing targets. When changing the production and processing target, not only replace the tool and overcome the blank clamping method, but also only need to reprogram, without using other complicated adjustments, thereby reducing the production preparation cycle time.

• The processing precision is high, and the product quality is relatively stable. The dimensional precision of production and processing specifications is between 0.005 and 0.01 mm, and will not be disturbed by the complexity of parts. Considering that most of the manipulation is done automatically by the machine, the deviation of human factors is eliminated, and the uniformity of the specifications and dimensions of a large number of parts is enhanced. The precision is guaranteed.

• It is easy to establish communication with the computer, and it is easy to complete the group control system. Considering that a CNC machine is easy to connect with computer application design system software to form CAD/CAM integrated system software, and can establish links between CNC machines, which is easy to complete the group control system.

Cons

Its disadvantage is that it is expensive and requires a high level of operation and maintenance personnel.

Buyer's Guide

1. Consult:

We will recommend the most suitable CNC working center to you after being informed by your requirements.

2. Quotation:

We will offer you with our detail quotation according to the consulted CNC working center. You will get the most suitable specifications, the best accessories and the affordable price.

3. Process Evaluation:

Both sides carefully evaluate and discuss all the details (technical parameters, specifications and business terms) of the order to exclude any misunderstanding.

4. Placing Order:

If you have no doubt, we will send you the PI (Proforma Invoice), and then we will sign a contract with you.

5. Production:

We will arrange the CNC machining center production as soon as receiving your signed sales contract and deposit. The latest news about production will be updated and informed to the buyer during the production.

6. Quality Control:

The whole production procedure will be under regular inspection and strict quality control. The complete machine will be tested to make sure they can work well before out of factory.

7. Delivery:

We will arrange the delivery as the terms in the contract after the confirmation by the buyer.

8. Custom Clearance:

We will supply and deliver all the necessary shipping documents to the buyer and ensure a smooth customs clearance.

9. Support and Service:

We will offer professional technical support and free service by , , Skype, , Online Live Chat, Remote Service. We also have door-to-door service in some areas.

Are you interested in learning more about 3 Axis Gantry Type Machining Center? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!