All about slotting machines

For processing various materials, special slotting machines are often used. They can have different technical characteristics, weight, dimensions. Today we will talk about the main features of such equipment, the principle of its operation and purpose.

These machines are quite sophisticated industrial equipment designed for cutting materials using special cutters. Devices of this type will help to process even the most inaccessible areas, to form profiles of complex shapes.

The design of such equipment includes several main parts.

• Stanina. It is a solid metal base. The bed is fixed to a flat concrete surface.

• Desktop. This part is intended for fixing and holding, feeding materials under the incisors.

• Handwheels for feeding (longitudinal or transverse). These mechanisms allow you to move the working area with the material under the cutting part in the desired plane.

• Handwheels of circular rotation. These parts are designed to control the movement of the table with materials.

• Tool holder. Such a part on a special column is installed on the working area. The incisor is fixed in it.

• A box with speeds and a switch. This part of the structure looks like a mechanism placed in an oil composition. It is necessary to transfer rotation to the flywheel.

• Control Panel. It is a design with buttons for turning on, turning off and controlling the device.

The processing of materials on such an apparatus occurs due to reciprocating movements, which are carried out in the vertical direction. In this case, the feed is performed due to the movement of the working surface on which the workpiece is fixed.

The device can function in 2 modes (simple and complex). In the first case, the product will be processed point-blank. In the second case, it will pass at a certain angle.

The scheme and structure of such machines are very similar to planers.

Equipment of this type makes it possible to perform the following actions:

• creation of keyways;

• processing of stamps;

• surface treatment of materials at various angles;

• processing of gear elements.

These machines can be of various types.

• Wood. Most often, such devices are used in the manufacture of furniture structures. They will allow you to make grooves of various shapes. In this case, special grooving models for wood are used. Sometimes they are taken to remove a small layer of wood when creating a profile. In large-scale production, as a rule, centrifugal woodworking equipment is used; it is distinguished by significant dimensions and high productivity. At home, it is best to use hand-held small specimens, they have a fairly simple design.Currently, special grooving and grooving models for wood are also produced.

• For metal. The metal model can be used to process material in hard-to-reach areas. It is equipped with a main tool with sharpened teeth (chisel). The cutting tool during operation will produce reciprocating movements, due to which the processing of metal products will be carried out. For large-scale production, CNC models will be the best option.

• Gear shaping machines. These models are designed for the formation of teeth on various, including cylindrical, surfaces. Moreover, the teeth can be very different (oblique, straight, screw). Gear-cutting grooving machines with CNC are gaining more and more popularity; they are able to perform accurate and high-quality processing in automatic mode according to a predetermined numerical program. The cutting tool supplied to the device is made of wear-resistant metals and metal alloys. The gear-cutting unit operates according to the running-in principle.

• Chain slotting machines. Such devices can be equipped with a special socket cutter or a milling chain. The chains can be of different thicknesses. They are located both vertically and horizontally. A screw element is used to tension them. Most often, the chain slotting machine is used when processing various types of wood.

All slotting machines can be divided into two large groups: universal and special. The first ones are designed to carry out the bulk of the work. The latter are used to manufacture certain parts, including gears.

And they also differ depending on their mass. So, models weighing up to 1 ton are considered small, from 1 to 10 tons - medium, more than 10 tons - large.

Let's highlight the most popular manufacturers of such equipment.

• Cams. This Italian company produces high quality machines with a long service life. The company's products can be electronically or manually controlled, with or without a rotary work table. Many models are available with CNC. The manufacturer uses brushless motors in its devices.

• Meco. This is also an Italian manufacturer that produces automatic models and devices with manual feed. They are manufactured with durable cobalt cutters. The brand's products are released with a large number of additional automatic functions.

• Jet. The Russian company sells various types of grooving machines. The assortment also includes small tabletop models for home use. The devices allow you to form straight and deep grooves.

• Stalex. This company produces equipment of high quality and safe to use. It is equipped with emergency stop buttons. The manufacturer makes the most durable structures with powerful motors designed for a large amount of work. They are all easy to use and maintain. But at the same time, the products have a significant price.

• Arsenal. The brand manufactures equipment that is capable of processing large and heavy workpieces. Work tables in it are equipped with comfortable handles that allow you to move it in any desired direction. Units of this brand are distinguished by high performance and convenient control system.

• Griggio. The company produces the most stable and durable machines for processing. All of them can function intensively. Griggio brand equipment has an automatic lubrication system.

To process various materials, in addition to the machine itself, you will also need the appropriate equipment. It is important to choose the right cutters for your equipment. Most often they are sold in whole sets. These elements must be made of strong and tough machined metals.

Folding type tool holders are also used as accessories. They are used in machinery for working with metals. They must match the incisors. Special slotting drills and grooving nozzles can also act as working attachments for such machines.

Before buying equipment, you need to pay attention to some important nuances. Be sure to look at the amount of slide travel. It is on this indicator that the depth of processing of the material will depend.

Pay attention to the speed of the slide. Most often, the indicator is measured in m / min. It will determine the cutting speed of the workpieces. Operating characteristics, including power consumption, type of drive (it can be hydraulic or electric), are also significant when choosing.

To maximize the operational life of the equipment, to ensure its normal operation, you should remember about maintenance. Moving parts of the structure, including guide parts and bearings, deserve special attention. They should be periodically checked and lubricated. In case of severe wear, they must be replaced with new ones.

Before switching on, you need to check the correctness of the settings. The specified program will directly affect the quality of processing, as well as the operating life of the equipment.

It is important to thoroughly clean your equipment regularly. This procedure is best done after each use. And also after each time you should use special lubricants, it is best to take machine oil or grease.

Be sure to check all fasteners before starting. They should be tight and tight. It is also recommended to check in advance the protective parts, drive belts. After the end of processing, the technique is immediately turned off.