A machining center, comprising: a number N of workpiece tables equal to or greater than three, a number N of first guides, which extend parallel to a first direction; along said first guides being movable respective to workpiece tables, one for each first guide, a number N−1 of second guides, which extend parallel to a second direction transverse to said first direction, a number N−1 of machining groups each comprising at least one machining head; each machining group being movable parallel to said second direction along a respective second guide; a number N×(N−1) of machining areas wherein the machining groups can operate on workpieces present on said tables; along each first guide, or for a respective table, there being present N−1 machining areas, one for each machining group, so that each machining group can operate, according to a programmed work cycle, on all said N workpiece tables, a number N of workpiece loading/unloading areas, one for each workpiece table.

A machining center includes a number N of workpiece tables. A number N of first guides extend parallel to a first direction. Along the first guides is movable respective to workpiece tables, one for each first guide. A number N-1 of second guides extend parallel to a second direction transverse to the first direction. A number N-1 of machining groups each include at least one machining head. Each machining group is movable parallel to the second direction along a respective second guide. A number N×(N-1) of machining areas is provided. The machining groups can operate on workpieces present on the tables. Along each first guide, or for a respective table, there is present N-1 machining areas, one for each machining group, so that each machining group can operate, according to a programmed work cycle, on all the N workpiece tables.

Machine tool including a workpiece carrier assembly including a workpiece carrier for supporting a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece carrier assembly being supported on a workpiece carrier support for horizontal movement in a first direction parallel with a horizontal Z axis, a tool carrier configured for carrying a plurality of tools corresponding to the plurality of workpieces and for machining the workpieces, the tool carrier being supported on a tool carrier support for horizontal movement in a second direction parallel to a horizontal X axis, the X axis being perpendicular to the horizontal Z axis, where the tool carrier is displaceable on the tool carrier support in the second direction between an operative position in which the tools are arranged for the contacting the workpieces and an inoperative position in which the workpieces are not contactable by the tools, where the workpiece carrier is arranged to be rotatable around an axis parallel with the X axis, and where the workpiece carrier includes a workpiece support area for supporting the workpieces and arranged substantially in parallel with the X axis.

A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof, milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.

A milling device having a first milling station with a first workpiece spindle capable of rotating about a first spindle axis A1 intended to receive a first lens blank and with a first milling tool with first cutters capable of rotating about a first milling axis FA1 intended for machining a received first lens blank. At least one second milling station with a second workpiece spindle capable of rotating about a second spindle axis A2 receives a second lens blank, and with a second milling tool with second cutters capable of rotating about a second milling axis FA2 machining the received second lens blank, the spindle axes A1, A2 being aligned parallel to one another, the milling axes FA1, FA2 being aligned parallel to one another, and obliquely aligned to the spindle axes A1, A2. The invention also includes a method for the operation of the milling device.

A machining center for machining profiles may include: a base having a longitudinal axis, the base defining a work surface extending with first and second ends along the longitudinal axis, wherein the base is configured to receive a profile manually laid along the longitudinal axis of the base by an operator or by a specially-designed automatic feeder; a plurality of support and lock members for supporting and locking the profile on the base, wherein each of the support and lock members can be placed on respective profiled guides which extend parallel to the longitudinal extent of the base between the first and second ends, and wherein each of the support and lock members is displaceable independently along the longitudinal extent of the base; a pair of vertical columns, each of the columns supporting at least one first motorized spindle; and/or a portal structure, comprising an upper beam, above the base.

A method of milling a profile of a railway rail comprises: rotating a milling cutter including a plurality of face mounted cutting inserts mounted about a periphery thereof; milling a railway rail with cutting edges of the cutting inserts rotating in a predetermined plane corresponding to at least a portion of a desired rail profile while controlling the depth of cut of the cutting inserts; traversing the railway rail with the milling cutter while milling the railway rail; and controlling the speed of traverse of the milling cutter along the railway rail.

Machine tool including a workpiece carrier assembly including a workpiece carrier for supporting a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece carrier assembly being supported on a workpiece carrier support for horizontal movement in a first direction parallel with a horizontal Z axis, a tool carrier configured for carrying a plurality of tools corresponding to the plurality of workpieces and for machining the workpieces, the tool carrier being supported on a tool carrier support for horizontal movement in a second direction parallel to a horizontal X axis, the X axis being perpendicular to the horizontal Z axis, where the tool carrier is displaceable on the tool carrier support in the second direction between an operative position in which the tools are arranged for the contacting the workpieces and an inoperative position in which the workpieces are not contactable by the tools, where the workpiece carrier is arranged to be rotatable around an axis parallel with the X axis, and where the workpiece carrier includes a workpiece support area for supporting the workpieces and arranged substantially in parallel with the X axis.

The machine tool includes a workpiece carrier assembly arranged for horizontal movement in parallel to a horizontal axis and a tool carrier configured for carrying at least one tool for machining at least one workpiece by rotating the tool. The workpiece carrier assembly or the tool carrier is displaceable between an operative position in which a workpiece carrier is facing the tool carrier, and at least one inoperative position. The workpiece carrier is arranged to be rotatable to allow for a modification of the angular position of the workpiece in relation to the tool carrier.

A machining center for performing a plurality of machining operations, such as drilling, milling, cutting, using rotating tools, on metal profiles having a longitudinal extent greater than their cross-section dimension, particularly but not exclusively made of aluminum. The machining center comprises a base defining a work surface extending longitudinally with first and second ends, upon which the profile is manually laid by an operator or by a specially-designed automatic feeder. The base has a plurality of members thereon for supporting and locking the profile, as well as a pair of vertical columns for supporting motorized spindles, each column being located next to said base and being configured to being displaced in either direction, parallel to the longitudinal extent of the base along respective slide guides located next to said base. Each vertical column is equipped with a first carriage configured to vertically sliding in either direction along its respective column and with a second carriage mounted to the first carriage, and configured to sliding in either direction perpendicular to its respective column. The center also comprises a portal structure whose upper beam above said base is equipped with a motorized spindle for rotating tools, mounted to a support body configured to angular displacements around a pivot for rotating about a first axis parallel to the longitudinal extent of the base.