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horizontal machining center control panel

What Is a Horizontal Machining Center (HMC)?

CNC Machining, Machine Milling Vertical / By / September 23, 2022

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It’s not unusual to hear the terms CNC machining center, CNC milling machine, and CNC machine tools when talking about the high-precision machinery of the modern machine shop. And then, there are Horizontal Machining Centers (HMC) and vertical machining centers (VMC). Is it any wonder a newly-minted machinist would be confused when many of these terms are being used interchangeably?

Since the term machine tool refers to machines that are power-driven, non-portable, and use cutting tools to remove material, all of these are machine tools. Horizontal and vertical concerns are the position of the spindle relative to the worktable. And that leaves the matter of the difference between a CNC milling machine and a CNC machining center.

What is a Horizontal Machining Center?

Like any form of milling, horizontal milling relies on various cutting tools to remove metal from a workpiece. The machining occurs on a horizontal machining center (HMC) with a spindle parallel to the worktable and the floor. With this arrangement, the tool sticks out of the side of the tool holder and machines across the side of the workpiece, allowing chips to drop away and avoiding having to clear chips from the table.

Horizontal machining centers also accommodate two pallet changers, allowing unattended production work and reducing part cycle times. The time saving occurs because work is loaded on one pallet of the HMC while machining is happening on the other pallet. After one part is machined, the pallet will index, and the next workpiece is ready.

CNC Milling Machine vs. CNC Machining Center

The machining center typically functions like all milling machines. However, the CNC machining center has an automatic tool changer, while the milling machine does not. A CNC machining center is controlled by a CNC controller to drive the X, Y, and Z axes and also includes the tool changer for increased efficiency.

The horizontal machining center does not get as much recognition as its vertical counterpart, so we’ll take an in-depth look at it, determine its uses, cost, and why a machine or fabrication shop should buy one.

How Does a Horizontal Machining Center (HMC) Differ from a Vertical Machining Center (VMC)?

Both machines have advantages, and choosing them depends primarily on your machining needs. Each is a high-performance, multi-axis machine tool with high spindle speeds, high-pressure coolant, and CNC control systems to enable high-speed machining.

VMCs are by far the more popular of the two for several reasons. They are the least expensive of the two machines and operate in a way that’s more familiar to the average machinist. VMCs are versatile machines available in numerous types and sizes, and they have a reputation for being multi-use machine tools that have proven themselves over the years.

Although vertical machining centers have excellent qualities, they also come with a few limitations. They only have one work plane, meaning the workpiece must be flipped five times to reach five sides of a square block. This process increases handling and spindle downtime, requiring a skilled operator.

Horizontal machining centers are better suited for workpieces requiring machining on multiple sides. HMCs are typically built with two integrated pallets, on which fixtures are often attached, allowing the operator to stage a part in the setup station while the piece on the other pallet is machined. As a result, the spindle is utilized more frequently, and production is much higher.

Other advantages of the HMC include its larger tool capacity and a better chip flow that sends them away from the worktable, eliminating the need for operators to stop the machine for an occasional chip cleanup. And you can have a fourth axis with the addition of a rotary table.

When Would You Use a Horizontal Machining Center (HMC)?

Job shops might not reap all of the benefits of a heavy-duty horizontal machining center since they probably won’t make enough parts to keep the machine occupied. However, HMCs are suitable for production shops able to keep it running continuously with large orders that require the following:

  • Slot cutting
  • Gear cutting
  • Groove cutting
  • Parts with detail work on the side
  • Blocks that require machining on multiple sides
  • Projects with sizable or heavy parts

What are Five-Axis Horizontal Machining Centers?

5-axis machining centers are becoming more prevalent and are a step up from the typical 3-axis horizontal machining centers. In addition to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, the 5-axis machining center add two rotary axes from the A-axis, B-axis, and C-axis.

Five-axis machining involves moving CNC cutting tools across five different axes simultaneously. This machining is a high-efficiency, high-precision process during which the workpiece is entirely machined by clamping it once. Five-axis machining is ideal for machining complex and intricate parts in aerospace, automotive, high-precision medical devices, and the military.

Companies that produce five-axis horizontal machining centers include Makino, Kitamura, Okuma, and Mazak. The pallet size and work envelope for these machines could vary.

How Much is a New Horizontal Machining Center?

HMCs are productive machines that can be a game-changer for your business, but no one claims they are cheap. For example, a Haas EC-630 four-axis horizontal machining center with 50-tool capacity and twin pallets starts at $350,000, and five-axis models from Okuma and Kitamura can run over $500,000. Even off-brands from DMG Mori cost in the hundreds of thousands.

How Do Companies Justify Paying for a Horizontal Machining Center?

Some companies realize that the heavy-duty HMC has the rigidity to enable faster speeds and feeds and lower cycle times. They believed that an HMC could lead to business growth since the ability to do so many more types of work would open avenues to previously impossible work. Shops become more competitive in their quotes, knowing they will produce high-quality parts faster thanks to fewer setups and unattended operations.

You Don’t Have to Spend Several Hundred Thousand Dollars to Improve Your Bottom Line

Most shops don’t require a pallet changer or need the ability to machine five sides of a workpiece simultaneously. For them, machining one or two sides of a workpiece are sufficient, and they can get that with a CNC vertical knee mill at a fraction of the cost.

CNC Masters is the manufacturer and distributor of some of the finest Bridgeport-type CNC vertical knee mills and desktop CNC milling machines on the market. And these high-quality machines are produced right here in the USA with ball screws, a warranty, excellent service, and a competitive price!

Please email us directly at sales@cncmasters.com, call us at 626-962-9300, or visit our contact page. We look forward to hearing from you!

Have Questions? Need a Quote?

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29. Create a Peck Drilling Program in Circular or Rectangular Patterns
Using the Circular or Rectangular Drilling Wizards, you can program the machine to drill an un-limited series of holes along the X and Y planes. Program it to drill straight through to your total depth, use a high-speed pecking cycle, or deep hole pecking cycle. You can program the cut-in depth and return point for a controlled peck drill application to maximize chip clearance.

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20. Change up to 30 tools with compensation, and store your tool offsets for other programs
The MX supports…

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21. Use the optional ATC rack up to 8 tools for milling, drilling, and rigid tapping applications
The CNC Masters Automatic Tool Changer Rack and Tools (US Patent 9,827,640B2) can be added to any CNC Masters Milling Machine built with the rigid tapping encoder option. The tutorial will guide you through the set-up procedure using the ATC tools.

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22. Use the optional Rigid Tapping Wizard without the need for tapping head attachments
When you order your CNC Masters machine, have it built with the optional rigid tapping encoder. You can take any drill cycle program and replace the top line with a tapping code created by the wizard to tap your series of holes up to 1/2” in diameter.

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23. Use the optional Digital Probe to scan the profile and/or pockets of your fun/hobby type designs to write your tool path program and machine out a duplicate of your original design To “surface” scan an object, you can program the probe along the X or Y plane. The stylus will travel over the part starting on the left side front corner of the object and work its way to the end of the part on the right side. Depending on how the stylus moves, it will record linear and interpolated movements along the X, Y, and Z planes directly on the MX Editor.
To “pocket” scan an object containing a closed pocket such as circles or squares, the scan will start from the top front, work its way inside of the pocket, and scan the entire perimeter of the pocket.
Under the Setup of the MX software you will find the Probe Tab which will allow you to calibrate and program your probe. Your “Probe Step”, “Feed”, and “Data Filter” can also be changed on the fly while the probe is in the middle of scanning your object.

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24. Use work offsets G54-G59 for nesting applications
The work offsets offer you a way to program up to six different machining locations. It’s like having multiple 0.0 locations for different parts. This is very useful especially when using sub-routines/nesting applications.

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25. Create a Rectangular Pocket / Slot with our selection of Wizards to help you build a tool path program
The Cycle Wizards for the mill or lathe makes it easy to create a simple tool path without needing to use a CAD and CAM software.
On this Wizard, the Rectangular Pocket / Slots, can be used to form a deep rectangular pocket into your material or machine a slot duplicating as many passes needed to its total depth.

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26. Create a Circular Pocket Wizard
Input the total diameter, the step down, and total depth and the code will be generated.

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27. Do Thread Milling using a single point cutter Wizard

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28. Cut a gear out using the Cut Gear Wizard with the optional Fourth Axis

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19. Disable the axis motors to manually hand crank each axis into place
Easily de-energize the axis motors by clicking [Disable Motors] to crank each axis by hand, and then press [Reset Control] to re-energize the axis motors.

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30. The MX interface can easily be interchanged from Mill Mode to Lathe Mode
Use this interface for your CNC Masters Lathe. It contains all the same user-friendly features and functions that comes in Mill Mode. Simply go to the Setup page and change the interface.

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31. Use Tool Change Compensation or the optional Auto Tool Changer Turret if your application requires more than one tool in a single program
You can offset the length and angle of each tool and record it under Tools in your Setup. The program will automatically pause the lathe’s movement and spindle allowing you to change out your tool, or allowing the optional ATC Turret to quickly turn to its next tool and continue machining.
On the MX interface, you also have four Tool Position buttons. Select your desired T position, and the auto tool post will quickly turn and lock itself to that position.

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32. Use the Lathe Wizard Threading Cycle to help you program your lathe’s internal or external threads in inches or metric

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33. Use the Lathe Wizard Turning / Boring Cycle to help you program simple turning and boring cycles without having to go through a CAM or writing a long program with multiple passes

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34. Use the Lathe Wizard Peck Drilling Cycle to help you program your drill applications or for face grooving

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35. Facing / Grooving / Part Off Cycle Wizards – with Constant Surface Speed
These cycles can be used with Constant Surface Speed allowing the spindle speed to increase automatically as the diameter of the part decreases giving your application a consistent workpiece finish. With CSS built into the wizard, there is no need to break down the cycle into multiple paths and multiple spindle speed changes.

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36. This is our list of supported G and M codes which can be found under Tools > G Code/ M Code List in the MX
If you plan to use a third-party CAM software to generate your tool path program, use a generic FANUC post processor and edit it to match our list of codes. As an option, we also sell Visual mill/turn CAM software which comes with a guaranteed post processor for our machines to easily generate your tool path programs based on your CAD drawings.

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37. Our pledge to you…

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10. Run each tool path independently to study its movement
1. Run the machine on Trace mode. You can run each tool path independently, one line at a time to study the tool path movement on the machine to verify the position of the application and if any fixture/vise is in the way of the cutter’s path.

2. You can also verify your program by clicking on the Trace and Draw buttons together. This will allow you to view each tool path independently one line at a time in the Draw Window.

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2. Clutter Free Interface
The MX is engineered for the CNC MASTERS machine so you do not have to fiddle with a detailed complicated configuration that can be overwhelming. Just load in the MX and start machining!2. Clutter Free Interface
The MX is engineered for the CNC MASTERS machine so you do not have to fiddle with a detailed complicated configuration that can be overwhelming. Just load in the MX and start machining!

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3. Features Tour and Tutorials Included
The Features Tour will give you a quick run-down on all the features the MX can do for you. The Tutorials are easy to follow even for the first time CNC machinist.
Feel free to download the MX on any of your computers. We recommend downloading the MX along with your CAD and CAM software there at the comfort of your office computer to generate your tool path programs. You don’t need to be hooked up to the machine either to test your program in simulation mode.

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4. Navigate and Edit Your Program through the MX interface with Ease
With a few clicks of the mouse or using touch screen technology, you can easily navigate through the MX interface importing saved programs into the Editor from the File drop down menu. Using standard windows features to edit your program you can then lock the Editor Screen to avoid accidental editing, and if you need to insert a line in the middle of a program, just click on [ReNum] to re-number your tool path list.
You can create a program or import CAM generated G-code tool paths into the Editor
The X Y and Z W arrow jog buttons are displayed from the point of view of the cutter to avoid confusion when the table and saddle are moving. You can also adjust your spindle speed and coolant control while jogging each axis.

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5. Feed Hold – Pause in the Middle of your Program
Feed Hold lets you pause in the middle of a program. From there you can step through your program one line at time while opting to shut the spindle off and then resume your program.
You can also write PAUSE in the middle of your program and jog each axis independently while your program is in pause mode.

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6. Hot Keys
Hot Keys is an alternative method to easily control your machine using your hard or touch screen keyboard. One can press P to pause a program, press S to turn Spindle On, G to run a program, Space Bar to Stop, J to record your individual movements one line at a time to create a program in teach mode.

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7. Pick Menu – for conversational mode programming
Write FANUC style G-codes directly into the Editor or select commands off the [Pick] menu and write your tool path program in conversational mode such as what is written in the Editor box. You can even mix between conversation commands and G-codes in the same program.

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8. Pick Menu List of Options
Use commands such as MOVE, SPINDLE ON/OFF, COOLANT ON/OFF, PAUSE, DELAY, GO HOME…. to write your tool path programs in conversational mode.

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9. Draw the Tool Path to verify it before pressing Go
Hit Draw to view your tool path program drawing, check out its run time, or even simulate the tool path in 3D mode. This can be helpful to quickly verify your program before running it. You can also slow down or speed up the drawing or simulation process.
You can also hit Go within the Draw Window itself to verify the cutter’s position on the machine. The current tool path will be highlighted and simultaneously draw out the next path so you can verify what the cutter will be doing next on the program.

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MX Software – Easy to Use, Easy to Learn – Included with your machine purchase
The MX software is designed to work seamlessly with your CNC Masters machine. It is made to work with Windows PC – desktop, laptop, or an all in one – on standard USB. Use it on Windows 8 or 10 64-bit operating systems.
No internal conversion printer/serial port to USB software or additional conversion hardware is used with the MX.

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11. Counters display in Inches or Millimeters – Continuous Feed
1. When running a program, the counters will display a “real-time” readout while the machine is in CNC operation without counting ahead of the movement.
2. The current tool path is highlighted while the machine is in operation without causing slight interruptions/pauses as the software feeds the tool path to the machine. The MX internally interprets a program ten lines ahead to allow for “continuous machining” avoiding slight interruptions as the machine waits for its next tool path command.
3. “Run Time” tells you how long it takes to run your tool path program.

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12. Use the “Go From Line” command to start in the middle of your program
If you ever need to begin your program from somewhere in the middle of it, use [Go From Line] which you can find under Tools. The Help guide will walk you through how to position the cutter without losing its position on the machine.

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13. Exact Motion Distance without over-stepping on an axis while jogging
Use “Relative ON” to enter a specific coordinate to jog any of your axes to an exact location without having to write a program. It’s like using “power feed” but easier. You can jog an exact distance on any of the axes without needing to keep the key pressed down and mistakenly over-step the movement releasing your finger too slowly off the jog button.
Let’s say you need to drill a hole exactly 0.525” using the Z. So you enter 0.525 in the Z box. Next, adjust the JOG FEED RATE slider for the desired feed rate. Then “click once” on the +Z or -Z button to activate the travel. In this case you click once the -Z button first to drill the hole exactly 0.525”. Then click once on the +Z button to drive the axis back up 0.525”.

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14. Teach Mode – Jog Input
You can create a tool path program by storing each point-to-point movement by simply jogging an axis one at a time. Click on either of the Jog Input buttons to store each movement on the Editor Screen. You can then add Spindle ON, feed commands, and press GO to run the new program as needed. This is a great feature to help you learn to create a program by the movements you make on the machine without necessarily writing out an entire program first.

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15. Override on the fly to adjust the Jog Feed to Rapid or the Spindle Speed during the middle of a program
1. Jog Feed and Rapid with Override: You can adjust feeds using the slider from slow minimum 0.1″ per minute to a rapid of 100″ per minute of travel. You can even micro-step your jog as low as 0.01”/min. The [-][+] buttons allow you to fine tune feeds in 5% increments while the program is in motion.
2. Spindle Speed with Override: You can adjust speeds using the slider from a slow minimum RPM to the max RPM according to the machine setup. The [-][+] buttons allow you to fine tune feeds in 5% increments while the program is in motion.

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16. Adjust Counters using Pre-Set if you cannot begin the program from 0.00
In a situation where you cannot begin your cutter at it’s 0.00 location, you can “Pre-Set” directly into the counters by typing in your beginning coordinate. You can press Go from here to run your program. You can also “zero all” or “zero” your counters independently. With one click of the [Return to 0.0] button, all axes will travel back to its respective 0.0 on the machine.

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17. Set and Save your 0.00 position for future runs
Set and save your 0.00 position on the machine. These coordinates will be recorded as the first line of the program in the Editor Screen. Should you desire to return to this program at a later date, you only have to click on the Set Zero Return button. This will command the machine to automatically jog each axis to its saved “set” 0.00 position according to the recorded coordinates at the first line of the program.

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18. Create a “Home” position to clear your application and run multiple times
Let’s say you need to machine one application times 100 pieces. This usually requires a jig to retain that physical 0.00 position. But in this case, you want the program to end with a clearance of the axes to easily switch out the next piece of stock and start again. With Save Home, you have the ability to save this offset (home) position while still retaining your Set Zero position where the machine will mill your part out. Pressing [Save Home] will record this new position under the Set Zero line in your program.
Pressing [Go Home] will jog your axes back to your “saved home” position where you originally pressed the Save Home command. You can also input GO_HOME from the Pick Menu as its own tool path in your program. At the completion of your program the axes will end at your Home position. Replace your part, then press [Return to 0.0] button to allow the axes to return to its zero position, and press Go to start your next run.

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