- Select the travel range
First, determine the required travel range of the machine tool based on the dimensions of the workpieces you intend to process. The selected travel range should exceed the workpiece dimensions by 10–20%; for example, if your workpiece is 5 meters long, you might choose a range of 5.5 to 6 meters. It is better to choose a larger range than a smaller one to ensure sufficient working space.
- Selecting the Machining Center Milling Head
You must decide between imported and domestic milling heads. Imported heads are expensive and offer high stability, but they are difficult to service if problems arise; replacing parts is troublesome and time-consuming, making repair schedules hard to control—potentially taking one to three months and causing a major impact on business operations. Domestic milling heads are more affordable; you can conduct trial machining to verify that they meet your processing requirements.
- Is an automatic tool changer (ATC) required?
Some machine tool manufacturers do not include a tool magazine as standard equipment—this is an industry norm, and adding one incurs an extra cost; it is important to be clear on this point. If the process involves multiple integrated operations—such as drilling, milling, boring, and tapping—frequent tool changes are necessary. Without a tool magazine on the machining center, the operator is forced to change tools manually. Since a single tool can weigh around 10 kilograms (over 20 pounds), frequent manual changes are exhausting and slow.
- Is automatic milling head changing required?
This feature can be configured based on your specific machining needs. By utilizing both a high-speed milling head and a high-torque milling head, a single machine tool can handle both roughing and finishing operations. This significantly reduces the time spent switching machines and repeatedly clamping workpieces—a configuration often chosen by manufacturers producing molds for automotive bumpers and headlights. Therefore, the choice should be based on your actual requirements.
