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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OEM Moves From Automation Implementation to Refinement
Automating challenging parts for full-weekend automation requires substantial process refinements that can significantly boost throughput.
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Upgrading Bar Feeder Components with Metal 3D Printing
Index is exploring redesigning and optimizing parts for bar feeders inside its multi-spindle turning centers using a low-cost metal 3D printing platform from One Click Metal.
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A Contract CNC Shop in Transition
Denver Precision Products is in a transitional mode in two respects: company leadership and adoption of new multifunction machining technology and processes.
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Precision Machining Technology Review: November 2024
Production Machining’s November 2024 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Vericut, Hurco, the L.S. Starrett Co., LNS North America, Fryer Machine Systems and MachineMetrics.
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Growth Comes When Machining Challenges Are Met
Manufacturers such as SDP/SI that embrace machining challenges ultimately find ways to become more efficient and profitable operations.
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Fryer Turning Machine Features Large Swing in a Small Footprint
The VT Series of large-swing vertical turret lathes can be configured for turning, milling, boring and grinding in a single machine.
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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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.
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Helpful, Free CAD Model for Those Who Machine DOM Tubing
This machine shop 3D prints a plastic plug that it inserts into the end of tubing to prevent chips and coolant from entering the lathe's bar feeder. It offers a free CAD model of it for other shops machining that material.
WatchLatest Single & Multi-Spindles Articles
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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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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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Automation Breakthroughs Revolutionize Precision Machining for Complex Parts
Marubeni Citizen-Cincom delivers custom solutions to address some of the biggest challenges in precision machining from handling small parts, to robot integration and unique tooling needs.
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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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Latest Products
Hurco Slant-Bed Lathe Features Live Tooling Capabilities
Hurco’s TM8MYi slant-bed lathe comes equipped with a Renishaw swing-down tool setter and a bi-directional, servo-driven live tool.
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Okuma Lathe Features Rigid Construction for High-Accuracy Machining
Okuma America Corp. features the LB2000 EX III horizontal lathe, equipped with the OSP-P500 open-architecture control designed exclusively for Okuma machines.
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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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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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Featured Posts
An Automated Answer for Machining Ball Pins
This new vertical turning center with measurement and robotic automation processes is able to produce vehicle ball joint ball pins in 7 seconds.
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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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Precision Machining Technology Review: September 2024
Production Machining’s September 2024 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Expand Machinery, Paperless Parts, Monaghan Tooling Group, Walter USA and more.
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Striving for Faster Changeovers for Multispindles
A multispindle platform designed to combine the high production speed of a cam-driven machine with the precision and repeatability of CNC also includes technology to speed set ups for new jobs.
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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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Precision Machining Technology Review: August 2024
Production Machining’s August 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.
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