An interesting trend popped up in a recent study of high-performing CNC shops: Many have greatly improved the efficiency of their machining processes by switching from a Vertical Machining Center (VMC) to a Horizontal Machining Center (HMC).
If you don’t have experience machining aluminum alloys but you’d like to expand your capabilities to solicit work from aerospace companies, here are a few points to consider:
All machinery requires routine maintenance. Vertical Machining Centers (VMC) and Horizontal Machining Centers (HMC) are no exception. However, in most manufacturing facilities the emphasis is on production, not machine maintenance. This is to be expected, as the challenges of maintaining profitable production are always foremost in a manufacturer’s mind.
Factory floor space is often one of your most valuable assets so, naturally, you want to make every square foot as dollar productive as possible. Which means that if you frequently machine multi-sided parts, you should consider making your next CNC machine tool investment a horizontal machining center (HMC). The reason is quite simple: In many cases one horizontal machining center replaces multiple vertical machining centers (VMC).
There are now three models in the Okuma MB-H Series of Horizontal Machining Centers, and all three provide manufacturers the opportunity to reduce non-cutting time, maintain tight tolerances and maximize floor space. All of which adds up to enhanced productivity.