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"Milling Machine"
Accessories

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As with all the different machine tools and machining operations, the accessories that are used along with the machine play in important role in machine tool operation. Most of the accessories you will see within this information sheet pertain to the vertical milling machine, although there are some accessories that can be used on other types of machines as well.

Parallels

Parallels or parallel bars, as they are sometimes called, are used primarily to raise the height of the workpiece (Figure 1). Parallels are precision ground bars which will assure that the position of the workpiece is parallel to the machine table surface or the bottom surface of the vise opening.


Figure 1
Pointed Wiggler or Linefinder

A wiggler is a tool which is used to reference the spindle of the machine to the edge of the part or layout location (Figure 2).


Figure 2

Figure 3

The wiggler is mounted in the spindle of the machine. It can be mounted in a drill chuck or collet. Start the spindle of the machine and make the wiggler run true by bringing into contact, a piece of steel or some other material, with the point of the wiggler (Figure 3).
When the point is running true, move the table so that the point of the wiggler is lined up with the layout lines or the edge of the part. The pointed wiggler comes as part of a set (Figure 4). The wiggler set contains attachments for other uses associated with part referencing and locating.

Wiggler Set
Figure 4 Wiggler Set
Spring Loaded Edgefinder
The spring loaded edgefinder is an accurate and quick method of locating the edge of the part (Figure 5). This type of edgefinder consists of two pieces; the head and the shank. The head and the shank are held together using a spring. The head of the edgefinder has at least one diameter that is the same as the shank and can offset about .05 of an inch off of the center of the body. As the edge finder is rotated, the eccentricity becomes more apparent. The edge finder can be used in a drill chuck or collet.

Edge finder
Figure 5

edge finder
Figure 6

 If using a solid collet do not tighten the set screw more than finger tight. Squeezing the hollow edgefinder shank will ruin it. The edgefinder should be run at 800 to 1000 R.P.M.. As the spinning edge finder is brought into contact with the edge of the workpiece (Figure 6) , the eccentricity gradually disappears. When the head of the edge finder begins running concentric with the body, slow your table movement to 0.001 of an inch increments. When the edgefinder kicks out, the edge of the part is located and the spindle center is exactly one-half of the diameter of the head of the edgefinder away from the edge of the part.
Vise Stop

The vise stop is used for repeat positioning of parts (Figure 7). The vise stop can greatly reduce setup time.

Vise Stop
Figure 7

Vise Stop 2
Figure 8

 Once the reference plane of the first part is found, a solid vise stop is set up to accurately position the next part. There are many styles of vise stops (Figure 8). Some vise stops are incorporated into the design of the vise. Most vise stops can be easily attached to either the left or right side of the vise.
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