What Is a Slotting Machine? Its Applications, Parts, Diagrams, Types, Specifications, Operations, How It Works, Advantages And Disadvantages
A slotting machine is a reciprocating machine tool used to create horizontal, vertical, or flat surfaces. It is suitable for single-use and small-scale production, removing unwanted material from workpieces to create lines, channels, and other features.
Similar to vertical shaper machines, they can produce flat and contour surfaces, slots, and internal grooves.
The Ram (tool affixed) is transported in a reciprocating motion, while in a shaper, the Ram is transported horizontally. Slotting machines can shape regular and irregular surfaces, especially profiles and gears, and can be used on any vertical tool movement.
Slotting machines are versatile tools used in manufacturing units for cutting keys, slots, metal sheets, and grooves of various shapes.
They are versatile and can be used for light cuts, splines, inside keyways, spur gears, curved faces of circular sections, internal oil grooves, internal recesses, internal and external gears, enlarging and finishing noncircular holes, and internal machining of blind geometrical holes.
A slotter machine is a complex system consisting of various parts, including the base, column, cross-slide, circular table, ram and tool head, ram drive, and feed drive. The base is a rigid component made of cast iron, absorbing the entire load.
The column is a vertical, integral part that houses the feeding mechanism of the table and the driving mechanism of the ram. The cross-slide component is mounted on the guideways of the saddle, enabling cross-feeding on the table.
The circular table or rotating table is designed to rotate on a crop slide, providing circular feeding to the work. The ram and tool head slide on the guideways mounted on the front vertical face of the column, providing a slot for changing the stroke position.
The ram drive produces a circular motion of the motor to the reciprocating motion of the ram in a vertical plane, reducing idle time. The feed drive arranges longitudinal and cross-feed of the table, either manually or by power.
A slotter machine works similarly to a shaper machine but operates vertically. The workpiece is attached to a worktable, and the ram is connected to the crank, which adjusts the crank speed and ram movement.
The workpiece is manually attached to the worktable, and the crank rotates when power is supplied. The cutting stroke occurs in the upstroke, while no cut occurs in the return stroke. This allows the slotter machine to work efficiently.
The slotter machine mechanism includes two mechanisms: hydraulic drive and variable speed motor drive. Hydraulic Drive uses a speed motor driven by a hydraulic pump to deliver oil at constant pressure, with a regulating valve that alternately pushes fluid to each piston end.
The piston rod connects the ram to the cutting tool, with trip dogs and pilot valves aiding in oil distribution. The regulating valve pushes oil to the opposite end of the piston, allowing it to return to the reservoir.
The ram’s stroke length depends on the position of the trip dogs, which can be adjusted by unclamping and moving them. Variable Speed Motor Drive is used in modern large slot machines with different gears and an electric motor.
Types of slotter machines include punch machines, precision toolroom slotters, special purpose slotter machines, and production slotter machines. Punch machines are heavy, rigid tools designed for removing large amounts of metal from forged or cast materials.
They work similarly to other types but are driven by a special pinion mesh and a reversible electric motor. Precision toolroom slotters have good speed, light cuts, and an accurate surface finish.
Special purpose slotter machines offer high volume of production at a low cost and greater accuracy, such as keyseaters for machining keys on the wheel and gear hub. Production slotters are heavy-duty machines with a heavy cast base and frame, used in general production work.
The specifications of a slotting machine depend on factors like power input, table drive type, ram stroke length, feeds, table feed, speeds, floor space requirement, motor kW, and worktable diameter.
Slotting machines can perform various operations like internal and external circular surfaces, bending holes, flat surface machining, profile shaping, irregular surface machining, dies and punches operations, slots, grooves, splines, and gear teeth.
The advantages of a slotter machine include its low-cost nature, accurate surface finish, high efficiency, low maintenance, and light weight. However, it requires skilled operation and is rigid in construction.
FAQs
What is a slotting machine?
A slotting machine is a machine designed to machine grooves and slots into a workpiece, typically operated using a mounted blade and a movable table, allowing for the creation of shapes and cuts.
Which tool is used for slotting?
A slotting machine. This is a reciprocating machine tool similar to a planer machine or shaper, operating similarly to a vertical shaper. The main difference is the direction of cutting action.
What is the difference between a shaping and slotting machine?
A shaper cuts flat surfaces using a reciprocating single-point cutting tool. A slotter shapes vertical surfaces in a reciprocating ram. A planer cuts flat surfaces using horizontal strokes of a cutting tool across a workpiece.
