Zone: Turning Machines

OVERVIEW: “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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Featured Zone Content

June 2012 - Production Machining

The Upside of Vertical Turning

Vertical turning centers that use the main spindle to load and unload themselves are finding increasing acceptance as multitasking capabilities make them efficient processing centers for producing chucked parts....MORE

May 2013 - Production Machining

Shop Grows its Multitasking Operations

Chris Felix

Here's a look at what this shop's expanded multitasking capabilities have meant to its success and how it plans to continue building momentum. ...MORE

May 2013 - Modern Machine Shop

Space-Efficient Automation for CNC Lathes

Peter Zelinski

Loader moves entirely within the footprint of the machine. ...MORE

April 2013 - Modern Machine Shop

Automation at Aztalan Engineering

Peter Zelinski

A contract manufacturer expands its capacity using various approaches to feeding the machines. ...MORE

April 2013 - Production Machining

Multitasking Benefits a Process in Many Ways

Lori Beckman

Multitask machining is the ability to perform various manufacturing operations unattended, without moving the part to other machines. ...MORE

April 2013 - Modern Machine Shop

Hwacheon VT-650 vertical CNC lathe

Vertical CNC Lathe Integrates with Factory Automation

By: Modern Machine Shop

The Hwacheon VT-650 vertical CNC lathe provides a maximum cutting diameter of 31.44" and features a 1,500-rpm spindle drive. ...MORE

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