Universal and Right-Angle Heads: More From Your Gantry
How universal milling heads and right-angle heads extend a gantry or VMC: five faces without re-fixturing, and how to choose the right head.
A machining center cuts what its spindle can reach. Add a right-angle head and the cutter points sideways; add a universal head and it points almost anywhere. For gantry work on large moulds and frames, these heads often remove the second and third setup entirely.
The Head Family and What Each Does
- Semi-automatic right-angle head: affordable sideway drilling and milling on VMCs.
- Fully automatic right-angle head: changes orientation under program control for four-side work.
- Heavy-duty and extended-reach angle heads: deep pockets and high-torque side cuts on large castings.
- Universal angle heads (BT50 for gantries): continuous angular positioning for five-face machining.
- Gantry right-angle heads: sized for the S and E series spindle boxes.
Three selection factors matter most. First, torque: side cutting through an angle head loses some power, so match the head rating to your cutter diameter. Second, reach: extended and custom heads exist for cavities a standard head cannot enter. Third, the tool interface: BT50 heads suit heavy gantry spindles, while smaller VMCs use lighter options.
We keep a full accessory line in-house, from collet chucks and dividing heads to custom right-angle heads, and we match heads to machines rather than selling them blind.
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.