One of the most popular machines today for large or small shops is the point-to- point boring machine, also known as machining centre. A point to point machine can do various operations simultaneously, mainly drilling, grooving and routing. It is a computer controlled machine called C.N.C. (Computer Numerically Controlled). They can be pre-programmed with numerous programs that will all do completely different functions. This is very useful if a manufacturer has many parts to make but only say 1-10 of each being the same, or has to make an exact part that was damaged “X” months later. After production, the operator can call up the program and make an identical piece without having to do it by hand, or do a major setup on the machine. Point-to-points come in various sizes. Some of them are what are called gooseneck machines, which do not have a complete overhead beam, and some of them have complete overhead beams with the entire mechanism and all the parts of the machine actually hanging from this beam; this would be the heavier duty model. Most of these machines have numerous drilling heads that are independently operated by the computer in various configurations, both horizontally and vertically. Different drill bits of different sizes can be placed into each head so that the operator can select which drill he wants to use, and what operation he wants to do at any location on the work piece. Most of these machines have three axis, an X, a Y, and a Z axis; X being the length, Y being the width (that is, how wide the panel is), and Z is how deep to drill. These machines have the facility to drill randomly at pre-programmed points, therefore called point to point drilling. They can also rout and can therefore be pre-programmed to rout out circles, spheres, headboards with fancy shapes, etc. Some of them have grooving saws as well to cut a groove in the back of the panel which will at a later stage be used for the back panel of the cabinet, specifically in wall units and kitchen cabinets. Some of the newer machines based on some modifications and with a different structured table can now do nested based functions.
Some of them come with multiple routers. You can have numerous routers on one machine. In most cases and for most applications only two are required. In many cases with automatic tool changers (ATC) only one router might be needed. An automatic tool changer (ATC) allows the router to go to a central bank of router tools and pick up a different cutter that might be required for a different operation on the same piece or the ATC might be attached to the head (piggy backed).
Vertical//Misc.
Boring machines miscellaneous can be for a single hole to be drilled or multiple horizontal or vertical holes, when the fixed spacing of 32mm apart is not required. Some of these machines can drill horizontally and vertically at the same time. The main use for this style of machine is to drill either a single hole in a part or to drill multiple holes all over the part in a single operation. Some of these machines will also drill at angles especially for the chair industry, but this will be discussed under chair making equipment. In most cases, the piece of wood is placed on a table and the operator presses a button or a foot pedal and a "hold down" will hold the part in place while the part is being drilled. Either the table will go up and drilling heads stay stationary, or the table stays stationary and all the heads come down, drilling the holes in the appropriate place. Most of these machines have a number of motors on the top, or in the case of a horizontal machine, on the side, which are connected by belts to the individual drills that are required. Some of these machines will either be air operated or hydraulic for the movement of the table. Hydraulic, in most cases, will be used when multiple large holes are required. These machines are quite difficult to set up.
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KnowledgeBase: Panel Processing: Machine Setup and Maintenance
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