Turning Machines
Lathes used for turning parts were the world’s first machine tools. These machines move a static cutting tool down the length of a rotating workpiece to cut the workpiece to shape. Modern CNC turning centers use servo drives to control tool motion compared to hand wheels on manual lathes. Tools install on gang plates or turrets, depending on the type of lathe. Today’s turning centers often can perform milling and cross-drilling operations thanks to live tool spindles that are installed in turret stations that sometimes provide Y-axis movement across the workpiece center line. Turning centers are available in horizontal and vertical main spindle orientations.
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Expand Machinery Mill-Turn Enables Flexible Turning Performance
IMTS 2024: The Gen Turn CW 42MY is a small footprint eight-axis mill-turn lathe with a full-sized counter spindle.
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Tsugami Lathe Boosts Turning Efficiency
IMTS 2024: Tsugami America showcases a multifunction sliding headstock lathe with a B-axis tool spindle.
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Trak Machine Tools Lathes Offer Compact, Heavy Duty Performance
IMTS 2024: The Trak TC2 and the Trak TC820si are compact lathes designed for production applications.
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Where Machining Precision is a Family Tradition
This century-old manufacturer is a case in point of how company culture and openness to adopting new technology paves the way to success.
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DN Solutions Announces Twin-Spindle, Twin-Turret Horizontal Turning Center
IMTS 2024: DN Solutions introduces a twin spindle, twin-turret horizontal turning center with 4″ bar capacity for increased productivity and simultaneous machining performance.
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Precision Machining Technology Review: August 2024
Production Machining’s July 2024 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from SW North America, Tsugami, Siemens, Select Manufacturing Technologies, Hurco and ECI Software Solutions — all on display at IMTS 2024.
Read MoreLatest Horizontal & Vertical Lathes Articles
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High-Volume Machine Shop Automates Secondary Ops
An Ohio contract shop added a compact, self-loading CNC lathe to perform unattended secondary ops on a part for a key customer rather than running it on a manually loaded chucker.
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Video: Why a Production Machine Shop Started a Baseball Bat Company
A 153-year-old manufacturer of precision, metal pins recently started a side business creating custom wooden baseball bats. The reasoning behind establishing this new company is intriguing, as is how it has helped create a stronger bond with the local community.
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VIDEO: A Unique Innovation Keeps the Wheels Turning
A problem with a bicycle’s two-piece bottom bracket design spurred action from two friends that led to not only a simple solution but to a business venture with in-house machining capability that has become an international supplier to high-end bike manufacturers.
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How to Get More Efficient Production from Swiss-Type and Multitasking Machines
SolidCAM for multi-axis Swiss type and multitasking machines provides a very efficient CAM programming process, generating optimal and safe Mill-Turn programs, with dramatically improved milling tool life.
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Laser Technology "Turns" into a Turning Tool
This new technology uses a laser to act as a cutting tool to "turn" parts from solid barstock. This high-speed precision turning machine is especially useful for micromachining, enabling high accuracy for small, complex parts that are often delicate and difficult to machine when implementing conventional turning processes.
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Optimize Minimum Quantity Lubrication Control Through a CNC Program
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) on a lathe offers many benefits when implemented properly. MQL becomes more of an asset when lubricant and air delivery can be controlled from a CNC program.
WatchLatest Single & Multi-Spindles Articles
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Video: Using AR for Remote Machine Tool Troubleshooting
Augmented reality can enable service engineers to help machine shops identify and possibly remedy issues with their machines remotely, perhaps eliminating the time and cost of an on-site diagnostic and maintenance visit.
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Video Tech Brief: CNC Screw Machines a Solution for Overcoming Labor Shortages
CNC screw machines can exceed job shop productivity and enable manufacturers to overcome perpetual employment gaps.
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How Advancements in CNC Multi-Spindles Can Put You Ahead of Current Trends
Growing economic and labor pressures are making CNC multi-spindle turn/mill technology more viable than ever. This real-world comparison to a single-spindle lathe shows how.
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Video: Machine Shop President Explains Advantages of Tool Presetters
When contract shop MetalQuest purchased its first multi-spindle, it also purchased a dedicated tool presetter for the machine. Learn why the company president feels shops of all sizes can benefit from measuring tools offline.
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Why a CNC Multi-Spindle Machining Center Makes Sense for MetalQuest
An early adopter of multitasking equipment, this Nebraska contract manufacturer has taken what it feels is the next logical step to diversify by adding a multi-spindle for greatly reduced cycle times on an existing high-volume job.
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Precision Machining Technology Moving Shops Forward
New equipment and software continue to be developed to support the needs of production machine shops like yours. Here’s a sample of technology now on the market that can help you grow your operation and become more efficient.
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Video Tech Brief: Anatomy of a Robust, High-Production Swiss-Type Lathe
This Swiss-type is equipped with a total of 52 tools, including a 40-tool magazine, 10 tools on the back tool post, and an optional 2 tools on the deep hole drill holder.
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Video Tech Brief: “Doubling Down” on B-Axis Capability in a Swiss-Type
This Swiss-type lathe has two programmable B-axis units and the capacity for two individual thread whirling units.
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Swiss Rejuvenation Doubles Shop Productivity
As he progressed to CNC Swiss lead and later to his current position as CNC Swiss production supervisor, Darrin Baker helped the Swiss department at Liberty Precision double its productivity, according to his nominator.
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Video Tech Brief: Swiss-type Lathe Features High-Damping Composite Casting
A rigid casting design and chip control technology are among the various benefits of this Swiss-type lathe.
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Getting More Production From Swiss Turning Centers
Buying a new CNC Swiss turning center is a substantial investment. For the best return, look closely for capabilities that enable the best utilization of the machine.
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Swiss-Type Add-On System Enables In-Line Inspection
When small part inspection and/or segregation is critical, this flexible, automated unloading and palletizing system for Swiss-type lathes can be the answer.
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Latest Products
Hurco Machine-Tending Solutions Support Range of Machining Centers
IMTS 2024: Hurco is demonstrating the capabilities of machine-tending automation through ProCobots-Hurco integration. The company is also showcasing a range of CNC machines.
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Murata Machinery Single-Spindle Turning Center Maximizes Productivity
IMTS 2024: Murata Machinery USA announces the MSR60 single-spindle CNC turning center with multitasking capabilities and built-in gantry loader automation.
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Select Machining Technologies Highlights Multitasking Machines
IMTS 2024: Select Manufacturing Technologies is highlighting large-capacity multitasking machines from Solace, Geminis, Ibarmia and Momentum.
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Romi Turning Machines Provide Enhanced Precision
IMTS 2024: Romi features both a custom CNC lathe and a 12-axis horizontal turning center for wear resistance and precision in turning, milling and drilling operations.
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Okuma Machine Lineup Features Intelligent Manufacturing Technology
IMTS 2024: Okuma’s booth features CNC machine tools, a CNC control, a line of automation systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, customer services and more.
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Mazak Custom Machining Solutions Feature Automation, Digitalization
IMTS 2024: Mazak features advanced machining solutions designed to boost productivity in automation, multitasking capabilities and machine tool technology.
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Featured Posts
Digitalization and Done-In-One Reign Supreme at BIEMH 2024
European manufacturers may have a different balance of markets than their U.S. counterparts, but the practical challenges they must overcome are often similar — as are the solutions.
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Bridging the Gap Between Traditional Single- and Multi-Spindles
This twin-spindle automatic lathe with six cross-slide mounted turrets is designed for medium-sized production runs that might not be suitable for conventional multi-spindles.
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A History of Precision: The Invention and Evolution of Swiss-Style Machining
In the late 1800s, a new technology — Swiss-type machines — emerged to serve Switzerland’s growing watchmaking industry. Today, Swiss-machined parts are ubiquitous, and there’s a good reason for that: No other machining technology can produce tiny, complex components more efficiently or at higher quality.
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CAM-Driven Lathe Questions
There can be hidden issues using legacy cam-driven lathes that can be overcome using new CNC technology. Here are three to keep in mind.
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A Mill-Turn’s Value for Machining Micro Gears
This leading manufacturer of non-lubricated robotic gears uses a seven-axis turn-mill to machine components from “amorphous” metals such as bulk metallic glasses.
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Shop Optimizes its Swiss-Turning Flexibility
Paramount Machine uses various Swiss-type lathes, some with a B axis, to produce parts more effectively than it did on conventional chucker lathes. Today, nearly every job under 1.5 inches in diameter runs across those machines even if the batch size is a mere 5 pieces.
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