The machining center is a high-precision, high-efficiency machine tool that uses CNC technology to precisely process castings, steel plates, aluminum alloys and other materials. It is widely used in various machinery manufacturing, aerospace, automobile manufacturing, medical equipment and other fields, and has become an indispensable equipment in modern manufacturing.

Based on their structure and purpose, machining centers can be divided into the following categories:

1. Vertical machining center
The spindle of the vertical machining center is installed on the vertical machine tool base, and the workpiece holding device is installed on the workbench. Therefore, the workbench can move in three directions to facilitate multi-axis machining. The cutting force of the vertical machining center is along the direction of the spindle, and the stability during cutting is good. It is suitable for precision machining of light and medium-sized parts.

2. Horizontal machining center
The spindle of the horizontal machining center is installed on the crossbeam of the machine tool. Its workbench is rectangular and can perform three-, four-, and five-axis simultaneous processing. Since the cutting force is perpendicular to the direction of the spindle and carried through the mechanical structure, the horizontal machining center can process high-strength materials and is suitable for processing large workpieces.

3. Gantry machining center
The worktable of the gantry machining center is installed on a gantry composed of two columns and cross beams. The worktable can move in up and down and front and back directions, and the spindle is installed on the cross beam. Gantry machining centers are suitable for processing large parts, such as ships, steel structures, wind turbine blades, etc.

4. Three-dimensional machining center
The three-dimensional machining center is a machine tool that can perform multiple processes such as milling, drilling, and boring at the same time. It usually has three spindles, each with its own tool magazine and tool switching system, capable of processing different workpiece surfaces. The three-dimensional machining center is suitable for parts processing and can significantly reduce manufacturing costs.

The application of machining centers requires the selection of different types of machine tools based on workpiece shape, size, material, processing accuracy and other factors. When selecting a machining center, various factors such as processing efficiency, accuracy, reliability, and cost should be comprehensively considered to meet different processing requirements.