---
title: HORIZONTAL VS. VERTICAL MILLING
description: Learn differences between vertical and horizontal CNC milling machines, advantages, applications, and services offered at Pro-Type Industries.
image: https://blog.pro-type.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_500918189-1.jpeg
---

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# HORIZONTAL VS. VERTICAL MILLING

Learn differences between vertical and horizontal CNC milling machines, advantages, applications, and services offered at Pro-Type Industries.

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Milling is a machining process where a rotating cutting tool removes material from a stationary workpiece. There are two main types of milling machines: vertical and horizontal. Each milling machine has its own advantages and disadvantages for specific applications. When selecting a certain type of machining operation or design feature consider your unique needs and equipment limitations. The more axes required to complete a part, the higher the complexity and cost.

## **HORIZONTAL MILLING SERVICES**

 

Horizontal milling machines have horizontally positioned spindles where the cutting tool is mounted. This spindle can move in three axes, and a rotary table with work-holding operates perpendicular to the spindle.  

 

 

### **HORIZONTAL MILLING ADVANTAGES**

- **High-volume production**: Horizontal mills can produce more final products than vertical mills because of their integrated pallet changer and 4th Axis Tombstone.
- **Reduced setups**: With the added axis of travel, more than 3 faces of the workpiece can be machined in a single setup.
- **Increased accuracy**: With the ability to integrate multiple faces of cutting into one setup, much more accurate multi-planar positional accuracy can be achieved, which is essential to high-quality machined products.

 

 

### **HORIZONTAL MILLING APPLICATIONS**

 

- High-volume, complex milling projects
- Milling multiple sides
- Projects with oversized or heavy materials

 

 

 

## **VERTICAL MILLING SERVICES**

 

Vertical milling can also be referred to as 3-axis milling. The X & Y-axis are built into the work-holding table. The table can move forward and backward, left and right. The Z-axis is vertical (up and down), where your cutting tools mount.  All milling machines have a complex gearing system that creates a rotational force called a spindle. The spindle applies torque to the mounted tool and the table moves underneath the spindle to position the raw material appropriately to sculpt the desired end-geometry. There are two types of vertical milling machines: a turret milling and a bed milling machine. Turret milling machines have tables and spindles that can move parallel or perpendicular to the axis. This maneuverability makes it quicker and more versatile than bed-milling machines. The spindle can move up and down in bed mills, but the table can only move along the horizontal axis. 

 

 

### **VERTICAL MILLING ADVANTAGES:**

- **Lower Upfront Cost**: Vertical mills are less expensive than horizontal mills, which allows manufacturers to pass on savings to customers.
- **Ease of Use**: Vertical mills are easy to operate because the automated CNC technology is user-friendly and simple to learn. Vertical mills are also more popular than horizontal mills across industries, so more operators are familiar with vertical milling technology.
- **Fast Turnaround**: Vertical mills are quick and efficient, especially for short-run production of small parts.

### **VERTICAL MILLING APPLICATIONS**

 

- Large plate metal fabrication
- Quick, low-volume milling projects
- Milling a single side, such as large metal stock or sinking dies

 

 

 

## **VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL CNC MILLING SERVICES AT PRO-TYPE INDUSTRIES**

 

Vertical milling is a less expensive option, but its production cycle times are longer. Horizontal milling is best suited for large quantities and complex tasks but has higher production costs. Pro-Type Industries offers both vertical and horizontal[ CNC machining services](https://pro-type.com/cnc-machining/) and can help you decide on the best method for your project. [Get in touch with us](https://pro-type.com/contact-us-rfq/) today to learn how Pro-Type can support your project needs with custom parts and services.

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