A horizontal boring machine or horizontal boring mill is a

machine tool A machine tool is a machine for handling or machining metal or other rigid materials, usually by cutting, boring, grinding, shearing, or other forms of deformations. Machine tools employ some sort of tool that does the cutting or shaping. Al ...

which bores holes in a horizontal direction. There are three main types — table, planer and floor. The table type is the most common and, as it is the most versatile, it is also known as the universal type. A horizontal boring machine has its work spindle parallel to the ground and work table. Typically there are three linear axes in which the tool head and part move. Convention dictates that the main axis that drives the part towards the work spindle is the Z axis, with a cross-traversing X axis and a vertically traversing Y axis. The work spindle is referred to as the C axis and, if a rotary table is incorporated, its centre line is the B axis. Horizontal boring machines are often heavy-duty industrial machines used for roughing out large components, but there are high-precision models too. Modern machines use advanced

computer numerical control Numerical control (also computer numerical control, and commonly called CNC) is the automated control of machining tools (such as drills, lathes, mills, grinders, routers and 3D printers) by means of a computer. A CNC machine processes a p ...

(CNC) systems and techniques. Charles DeVlieg entered the Machine Tool Hall of Fame for his work upon a highly precise model, which he called a JIGMIL. The accuracy of this machine convinced the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Si ...

to accept John Parson's idea for numerically controlled machine tools.

References

Machine tools {{Metalworking-stub