Copy Milling Machine

a machine designed for milling profiles (slabbing) or relief contours (three-dimensional milling) on articles made of various materials by means of a cutting tool (milling cutter), which reproduces on the article the surface or contour of a master device—for example, a master cam in the shape of a flat template, a three-dimensional model, or a contour drawing. The master device is mechanically, pneumatically, or hydraulically connected to a servomechanism, which directs the cutting tool. The servomechanism acts on an amplifying device on the one hand and, on the other hand, on an actuating device. Hydraulic, electromagnetic, or electro-optical relays are used in the amplifying devices of such machines. The actuating member may be a screw, a slide valve, an electromagnetic coupling, a solenoid, a differential, or some other device, and it may be driven by an electric motor or a hydraulic power cylinder.

According to the type of drive and servomechanism, a distinction is made among copy milling machines with a pantograph, for two-dimensional and three-dimensional work; all-purpose machines, whose pantograph is in the vertical plane on a rotating arm; single-spindle and multispindle machines with a round or rectangular table; automatic machines with mechanical feed; hydraulic and electric machines; and photographic machines. The accuracy of profile and the degree of surface roughness that can be produced by copy milling machines depend on the speed of movement of the servomechanism; they are 0.02 mm and ∇6, respectively.

Copy milling machines are used for machining pump vanes and turbine blades, ship propellers, cams, dies, press molds, sculptures, and jewelry.