CNC Milling and Drilling – Precision Machining of Complex Contours

Using CNC milling and CNC drilling, EMAG machines produce complex workpieces like worms, rotors, and rotary pistons. High-performance machines and flexible automation solutions ensure quality, short non-productive times, and cost-effective batch production.

Milling and Drilling: Versatile, Precision, Cost-Effective

CNC Drilling – Proven Technology, Reimagined

Drilling is one of the most fundamental machining processes and is integrated into numerous EMAG machines. During this process, the drilling tool rotates around its longitudinal axis and is guided into the workpiece. At EMAG, this process is fully automated: The turrets on the lathes enable CNC drilling as part of a combined machining process. That lets drilling fold seamlessly into complex process chains with no added setup times.

Profile Milling – Highest Demands on Geometry and Surface Finish

CNC milling of worms, rotors, and rotary pistons brings special challenges: Helical structures and complex profile shapes require highly dynamic drive systems and stable machine designs. EMAG machines feature heavily ribbed, rigid machine bases that minimize vibrations and hold consistent machining quality. Directly driven work tables reduce mechanical play and deliver reproducible high accuracy – even with large, heavy workpieces.

Flexible tool configuration for a wide variety of workpieces

Disc cutters with carbide inserts for rotors and worms, wide profile cutters for rotary pistons – EMAG machines support a wide range of tool configurations. The horizontal profile milling machines are built for large workpieces and feature an HSK interface for quick cutter changes. The vertical milling machines stand out for their compact design and an integrated ring loader for automated workpiece feeding.

A view of the work area of an EMAG profile milling machine. A wide range of tool configurations is available, from disc cutters to solid carbide cutters. This enables the efficient and precision production of worms, rotary pistons, and rotors.

Advantages

Complex geometries: Highly dynamic drives and direct-drive work tables enable the precise machining of helical structures – even on large workpieces.
Process integration: CNC drilling can mounts in the turret as a driven tool – drilling and other operations in a single setup.
High machine stability: Heavily ribbed machine bases with excellent vibration damping ensure consistent machining quality – even under high cutting forces.
Flexible tool holders: A wide variety of milling tools – from disc cutters to solid carbide cutters – change efficiently to meet different workpiece requirements.
Automated batch production: Robots, NC-controlled ring loaders, or gantry automation reduce downtime and significantly increase productivity in high-volume production.
Scalable solutions: From compact vertical milling machines to high-performance horizontal milling centers, EMAG offers the right machines for a wide variety of workpiece sizes.

Questions and Answers

How does CNC milling and drilling work in general?
What special requirements do worms and rotors place on the milling process?
Which EMAG technologies are suitable for milling and drilling operations?
Which EMAG machines are suitable for profile milling?
How can CNC drilling be integrated into existing production lines?
What quality and tolerance requirements can be achieved in profile milling?
In which industries and application areas is CNC milling used?
How can the cost-effectiveness of milling and drilling operations be increased?

CNC milling and drilling are machining processes in which the rotating tool engages with the workpiece in a controlled manner. During milling, the tool creates complex contours and profiles through turning and feed movements; during drilling, the tool advances axially into the workpiece. All movements on EMAG machines are fully CNC-controlled and combine with other machining processes.

Worms and rotors featurehelical structures and complex profile geometries that demant top precision. Significant cutting forces – especially with large workpieces – must be dissipated reliably with no vibration. EMAG meets these requirements with rigid machine bases, direct-drive work tables, and highly dynamic spindle drives for accurate contours.

EMAG offers specialized profile milling machines for the profile milling of worms, rotors, and rotary pistons. CNC drilling mounts in vertical machining centers as a driven tool in the turret. Profile grinding machines round out the lineup, covering the full range of gear technology.

EMAG has several specialized profile milling machines: The horizontal models handle large worms and rotors, with a belt drive for high torque and an HSK interface for quick cutter changes. The vertical milling machines stand out for their compact design and an integrated ring loader for automated workpiece feeding and additional machining steps.

At EMAG, drilling mounts directly in the turret of the turning machines as a driven tool. This combines turning, drilling, and other machining processes in a single setup. The workpiece remains in the machine, eliminating changeover times – a real advantage where space on existing production lines is tight.

Profile milling on EMAG machines meets high requirements for geometric precision and surface finish. Direct-drive work tables minimize mechanical play and vibrations, for consistent profile tolerances and reproducible results. For the highest surface finish requirements, EMAG profile grinding machines complement the manufacturing portfolio. We would be happy to provide specific tolerance values upon request.

Profile milling is especially in demand in compressor and pump technology, where worms, rotary pistons, and rotors are required for vacuum pumps, screw compressors, and positive displacement pumps. More applications appear in general machinery manufacturing and the oil and gas industry. Specialized EMAG machines reliably meet these industries’ high accuracy and surface finish requirements.

Key factors are short non-productive times and extensive automation. EMAG offers automation solutions like robots, NC-controlled ring loaders, and gantry systems that load and unload without manual intervention. Integrating drilling into multifunctional centers like the VSC or VL series further reduces the number of setups – and with it, setup times and scrap. Contact us and we’ll help optimize your manufacturing concept.