General
Machine tools - Examples of machines

The boring machine shown in figure 1 has 4 axes. The column is fixed to the frame and the spindle slides vertically on it (Y axis). The other three axes move the workpiece. The workpiece is mounted on a turntable (B axis), which in turn is mounted on a carriage moving in X, which slides on a cross-member moving in Z.

The intermediate carriage (cross carriage) therefore has two guideway elements (rather a guideway and guide surfaces) whose main planes P (Figures 44 and 45, in ) are parallel. This cross slide, which cannot be thick for reasons of accessibility of the workpiece to the operator, cannot therefore be rigid.