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.
Latest Turning Machines Articles
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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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Stories of Swiss First Additions
A handful of shops share their stories about the how’s and why’s of adding their first Swiss-type CNC turning centers.
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5-Axis Machining Centers Transform Medical Swiss Shop
Traditionally a Swiss machine shop, Swiss Precision Machining Inc. discovers a five-axis machining center that has led the company to substantial growth. (Includes video.)
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Moldmaker Finds Value in Swiss-Type Machining
This multifaceted manufacturer has added CNC sliding-headstock turning technology to complement its established mold tooling production and new injection molding capabilities as it continues to pursue complex medical work along a vertically integrated path.
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Methods Multitasking Machine Reduces Cycle Times
Methods Machine Tools Inc. introduces Nakamura-Tome’s WY-100V two-turret, twin-spindle precision CNC multitasking lathe to the U.S. market.
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When a CNC Turn-Mill Doesn’t Turn
A shop in Big Sky Country uses a B-axis multitasking machine to produce complex, prismatic medical parts that require no turning complete from barstock.
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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 Tech Brief: Live-Tool, Y-Axis CNC Lathe with a Compact Footprint
This small footprint, big-bore lathe offers a generous work envelope. The addition of Y-axis and live tooling enables milling, drilling and tapping for increased machine capabilities.
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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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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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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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Video Tech Brief: Twin-Turret, Twin-Spindle Lathe Machining
This machine model features roller linear ways to accommodate low-frequency vibration technology to minimize chip size.
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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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Video Tech Brief: Three Lathe Turrets Machining Simultaneously
At PMTS 2023, Spinner North America explains that having three turrets cutting at the same time in a CNC lathe can significantly reduce cycle times while offering better utilization of a machine shop’s cutting resources.
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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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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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Reinventing the Wheel with Robot-Automated CNC Multitasking
One race team discovers how to efficiently manufacture a new wheel nut design for the next-generation NASCAR stock car with the help of a CNC mill/turn and a built-in robot.
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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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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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VIDEO: Swiss Shop’s Choice of Collets Facilitates Backworking
This Swiss shop discovered workholding collets that satisfy the needs of its very small, delicate and complex medical parts production on the subspindle, making once impossible processes not only doable but more efficient and esthetically pleasing.
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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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3D Printing Creates a Window of Automation Opportunity
For this Omaha shop, periodic part inspection required an automated turning cell to pause production. Printing a plastic parts collection chute for delivery outside the cell solved this problem, and it turns out the shop has found 3D printing to be valuable in many other ways.
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Latest Products
Absolute Machine Tools Turning Center Provides Improved Chip Removal
Johnford SL-300L-II slant-bed turning centers are constructed with a one-piece Meehanite cast iron base for strength and rigidity, as well as to dissipate heat away from the part.
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Index Corporation Lathes Feature Upgraded Toolholders
The Index B400/B500 and Traub TNA400/TNA500 lathes are equipped with the VDI40 radial turret with 18 toolholders.
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Mazak Horizontal Turning Center Enables Versatile Machining
The QT-Ez 8MSY horizontal turning machine integrates seamlessly with bar feeders and robots, and accepts many additional options to tailor it to the needs of any shop.
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Grob Mill-Turn Machining Center Provides Flexible Performance
The G550T mill-turn universal machining center offers optimized milling and turning performance for a broad range of part materials in one setup.
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Racer Machinery Lathe Enables Full Ram Travel
The VTX machine series features programmatic indexing of the Y-axis, enabling for extended height to accommodate taller parts.
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Fryer Lathe Features Multiple Operation Modes
Easy Turn Toolroom Turning Lathes enable operators to use manual, semi-CNC or full-CNC modes.
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Featured Posts
Inside the Premium Machine Shop Making Fasteners
AMPG can’t help but take risks — its management doesn’t know how to run machines. But these risks have enabled it to become a runaway success in its market.
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When a “Boxy” Part is Machined on a Lathe
South Morgan Technologies has long thrived on its ability to mill prismatic parts on a turning platform. Today, newer technology and techniques enable saying “yes” to that work than ever before.
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Robotic Automation Options for Vertical Turning Centers
Custom robotic machine tending systems designed for specific high-volume machining applications can yield significant productivity and product flow benefits.
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Does a Scanning Probe Make Sense on a Swiss-Type?
Swiss-types have limited tooling capacity, but there can be advantages to giving up some of that capacity to take advantage of a touch probe — in fact, a scanning probe — to enable in-process part measurements.
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Keeping Watch on Small Parts
From watch parts to exotic medical applications, this shop takes on the world of micromachining.
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A German Machine Tool Builder’s “Second Push” Into the U.S. Market
Spinner recently has taken strides to boost its presence, service and support in the United States as well as Canada and Mexico for its multifunction CNC lathes and milling machines.
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