What are the differences between machining centers, engraving and milling machines and engraving machines? I believe that many friends who have just joined this circle will ask this question, but they don’t know much about it when buying mechanical equipment. They don’t know how to distinguish it and what type of equipment they should purchase to meet their needs. needs.
1\Engraving and milling machine
As the name suggests, it can engrave and mill. Based on the engraving machine, the spindle power, servo motor and bed capacity are increased, while maintaining the high spindle speed. Engraving and milling machines are also developing at high speeds. They are generally called high-speed machines. They have stronger cutting capacities and very high machining precision. They can also directly process materials with hardness above HRC60 and form them in one go. are widely used in one-time roughing and finishing of precision mold cores, cast copper electrodes, batch processing of aluminum parts, shoe mold manufacturing, jig processing and watch industry. Due to its high performance, fast processing speed and good finish of processed products, it occupies an increasingly important position in the machine tool processing industry.
2\CNC machining center
Also known as computer gongs in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Guangdong, the characteristics of the parts processed on the machining centers are as follows: After the processed parts are clamped, the CNC system can control the machine tool to select and Automatically replace tools according to different processes. ; automatically change the machine tool. The spindle speed, feed amount, tool movement path relative to the workpiece and other auxiliary functions can continuously and automatically carry out drilling, milling, reaming, tapping, milling and other multi-process processing on each. treatment surface of the part.
Since the machining center can realize a variety of processes centrally and automatically, it avoids human operation errors, reduces the time of workpiece clamping, machine tool measurement and adjustment, and the parts rotation, transportation and storage time, and greatly improve processing efficiency and precision. . , it therefore has good economic advantages. Machining centers can be divided into vertical machining centers and horizontal machining centers based on the spindle position in space.
3\Engraving machine
The torque is relatively small and the spindle speed is high, which is suitable for processing small tools. It focuses on the “engraving” function and is not suitable for large parts with strong cutting capabilities. Most of the products currently on the market under the banner of engraving machines are mainly used for craft processing and have a low cost. Due to their low precision, they are not suitable for mold development.
Comparison of indicator data between the three
Maximum spindle speed (r/min): 8,000 for machining centers; 240,000 for engraving and milling machines is the most common, and 30,000 is the lowest for high-speed machines; The machines used for high-gloss processing can reach 80,000, but the ones used are not ordinary electric spindle but floating spindle.
Spindle power: the machining center is the largest, ranging from a few kilowatts to tens of kilowatts; the engraving and milling machine is second, generally within the limit of ten kilowatts; the engraving machine is the smallest;
Cutting volume: the machining center is the largest, especially suitable for heavy cutting and rough cutting; the engraving and milling machine is the second, suitable for finishing;
Speed: Since engraving, milling and engraving machines are relatively light, their travel speed and feed rate are faster than those of machining centers. In particular, high-speed machines equipped with linear motors can move at a maximum speed of 120 m/min.
Accuracy: The accuracy of all three is almost the same.
Comparison of processing dimensions between the three
The workbench area can better reflect this. The smallest workbench area (unit mm, the same below) of domestic machining centers (computer gongs) is 830*500 (850 machines); the largest workbench area of engraving and milling machines is 700*620 (750 machines), and the smallest is 450*450 (400 machines); engraving machines generally do not exceed 450*450, and the common is 45*270 (250 machines).
Comparison of application objects between the three
The machining center is used to process parts with larger milling volumes, large molds and materials with relatively hard hardness, and is also suitable for roughing ordinary molds; Engraving and milling machines are used to achieve smaller milling volumes and complete machining of small molds. It is suitable for processing copper, graphite, etc. ; low-end engraving machines are more suitable for processing low hardness boards such as wood, two-color boards, acrylic boards, etc. ; high-end ones are suitable for chip polishing; , metal shells, etc.
There is no term for engraving and milling in foreign countries. Strictly speaking, engraving is a part of milling, so there is only the concept of machining center in foreign countries, and the concept of small machining center drifts to replace engraving. and milling machine. Whether to buy an engraving machine or a CNC milling machining center is a question that is often asked. It depends on real production needs.
1) CNC milling and machining centers are processing equipment used to make parts with larger milling volumes.
2) CNC engraving and milling machines are used to make smaller milling volumes or soft metal processing equipment.
3) High-speed cutting machine tools are used to achieve medium milling volumes and minimize the amount of polishing after milling.
4) A thorough analysis of the structure and data processing types of the above equipment can help us make the right choice.
Daguang focuses on providing solutions such as precision CNC machining services (3-axis, 4-axis, 5-axis machining), CNC milling, 3D printing and rapid prototyping services.


















