Complex Parts on VMCs: Dividing Heads and Angle Heads
Feature-rich parts beyond three faces: how CNC dividing heads, rotary units and right-angle heads turn a standard VMC into a flexible cell.
Parts with features on many faces, teeth, flats, cross-holes and inclined ports, do not automatically need a five-axis machine. A standard VMC plus the right accessories covers far more of that territory than buyers expect, at a fraction of the capital.
The Accessory Toolkit
- CNC dividing head: precise angular indexing for cross-holes, flats and tooth forms.
- Right-angle heads: reach side walls and internal features the vertical spindle cannot.
- Tool presetter and linear scales: keep long accessory-driven jobs dimensionally honest.
- Precision vises and collet chucks: fast changeovers between part families.
The workflow that works: index with the dividing head for each face group, then switch to an angle head for the features the vertical spindle cannot reach. With those two moves, a pump housing with bolt flanges, side ports and inclined lube holes finishes in one clamping cycle instead of three.
Accuracy tips are simple but strict: indicate the dividing head true before the first cut, verify angle head tool runout with a test bar, and record centre heights once per setup family.
Our accessory catalogue covers dividing heads, angle heads, vises and presetters that pair with every VMC we ship, and we help plan the tooling for your part drawings.
Talk to VITOP Machinery
Questions about this topic or your upcoming project? Email vitopmachinery@163.com or message us on WhatsApp: +86 183 1908 0212. Browse all machines at www.vitopmachinery.com. We reply within one business day.