Metal Cutting

Turning Machines
“Turning” defines the work that is traditionally done on a lathe. As lathes have grown in sophistication, some of these machines have been given different names. “Turning centers” is a term sometimes applied to machines with particularly sophisticated capabilities related to secondary spindles and/or rotating tools for milling and drilling. Another term, “turn/mill machines,” describes machines that can be thought of as being just as capable at milling and drilling parts as they are at turning. In turning, unlike in milling or drilling, the workpiece spins while the cutting tool does not. The cutting tool feeds along the length or diameter of the rotating part. The workpiece in turning can be held in a chuck or collet, to name two of the more common workholding methods. The turning machine may also include spindles for the cutting tools to accomplish non-turning operations such as milling and drilling. If this is the case, the machine stops the workpiece from spinning in order to perform these operations within the same machining cycle as the turning work. In fact, for some parts, the milling and drilling capabilities may be used so extensively that a non-turned, non-round part might also be produced on this type of machine. Lathes, turning centers and turn-mill machines can have horizontal or vertical spindles. Horizontal spindles are more common. If the machine has a vertical spindle, then the spindle may locate below or above the machine. If the workpiece rests on a table driven by the spindle, then this machine is generally called a vertical turret lathe, or VTL. If the workpiece is held from above by the vertical spindle, then this type of turning machine is generally called an inverted vertical lathe.

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March 2011

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This machine tool supplier sees shops searching for just a little bit of unattended capacity. Many shops are closer to obtaining this extra capacity than they realize.

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May 2012

Machines that Make Machines

By: Chris Felix
Because variations in cutting range, tool capacity, tolerance capabilities, and so on have a direct effect on a shop’s day-to-day operations and the ability to deliver on the demands of customers, shop personnel make it a point to be familiar with their own machines as well as additional equipment that they may purchase down the road.

May 2012

Key Elements of the World’s Largest Inverted VTL

By: Derek Korn
A number of noteworthy design elements enable this inverted vertical turret lathe to accurately and effectively machine very large components.

April 2012

Turning to an Alternative for Small, Complex Work

By: Matt Danford
The QuickTech TT-42 from Absolute Machine Tools provides many of the same advantages as a Swiss-type lathe for small, complex parts that don’t justify the use of a guide bushing.

April 2012
Southwestern Industries TRAK mills and lathes

Mills, Lathes Increase Productivity in Small-Lot Machining

By: Modern Machine Shop
Southwestern Industries’ Trak line of mills and lathes feature the company’s ProtoTrak CNC conversational language, which is designed to reduce machine setup time and increase machinist productivity.

March 2012

Building on the Right Foundations

By: Mark Albert
One of the largest vertical turning and milling centers in the country will be installed in this Cincinnati-area job shop. Although installing the foundation for this huge machine was a massive undertaking, the company is building on other “foundations” as well.

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