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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Grob Mill-Turn Enhances Process Reliability for Smaller Parts
Grob Systems Inc. introduces the G350T five-axis universal mill-turn center, designed for maximum stability and maintainability in milling and turning operations.
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Precision Machining Technology Review: November 2025
Production Machining’s November 2025 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Mazak, Platinum Tooling, Methods Machine Tools, Tormach Inc. and Verisurf.
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Tormach CNC Lathe Supports Aggressive Cuts in Tough Materials
Tormach Inc. introduces the 15LX CNC Lathe, offering enhanced horsepower, rapid feed rates and advanced control for modern machining environments.
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Mazak Turning Machine Enhances Part Processing Versatility
Mazak Corp. introduces the Quick Turn 450MY multitasking CNC turning center with an extended bed length option for processing extra-long workpieces.
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Turning Technology and More Seen at Mazak Discover 2025
The week-long event included 30 machines on display, many showcasing elements of automation, as well as educational opportunities to spur new ideas for shop principals endeavoring to grow their machining businesses.
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Mazak CNC Turning Center Enhances High-Volume Production
Mazak Corp.’s QRX-50MSY turning center is a compact and versatile machine designed for small, intricate parts with advanced milling and Y-axis capabilities.
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Planning for Growth Amid Uncertainty
Six strategies to maximize a company’s success amid unpredictability.
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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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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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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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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 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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How Might You Use a Desktop CNC Swiss-Type?
This compact machine could be valuable for education and training purposes as well as low-volume production work that shops might not want to run on their traditional Swiss-types.
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Faster Swiss-Type Setup is a Probing Issue
Perhaps no other technological development has impacted setup time reduction on Swiss-type lathes more than automatic tool probing functions.
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3 Stories of Swiss First Additions
A few shops share their stories about the how’s and why’s of adding their first Swiss-type CNC turning center as well as lessons learned along the way.
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Succeeding at Swiss
McCormick Industries is no stranger to Swiss-type machining. Here are examples of ways the shop has found to become more efficient not only at using its CNC sliding-headstock machines, but at its overall shopfloor processes and practices, too.
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Video: The Value of a Desktop CNC Swiss-Type
This Swiss-type requires only 120 volts of power, basic compressed air supply, weighs in at 150 pounds and needs a table that’s only maybe two by four feet. But it’s by no means a toy.
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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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Latest Products
Mazak Turning Center Provides High Torque in Compact Footprint
Mazak North America’s QTE-100 MY CNC turning center has a built-in motor spindle designed to provide high torque even in the low-speed range for improved cutting capacity.
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Fryer Lathes Provide High Rigidity for Large-Part Machining
Fryer Machine Systems’ ET-LC lathes are built for small-batch turning of large parts.
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Mazak Achieves Production Milestone, Announces Plans to Open New Technical Center
Mazak Corp. celebrates the completion of its 40,000th machine at the Mazak iSmart Factory in Florence, Kentucky, showcasing advanced manufacturing and digital integration.
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Chevalier CNC Slant-Bed Lathe Automates Small-Part Production
The FCL-130RP’s 30-degree slant bed provides rigid performance, optimal chip removal and long-term machining stability.
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Eurotech Elite Seeks Partners to Build American-Made CNC Lathes
Eurotech Elite hopes to connect and build relationships with U.S.-based, family-owned manufacturers with expertise in machining large components with tight tolerances.
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Mazak Turning Machines Feature Three Turrets for High-Volume Production
The HQR-200/3 and HQR-250/3 NEO machines both have two spindles and three turrets — two upper and one lower — for “done-in-one” part processing and high-volume throughput in single setups.
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Featured Posts
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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Finding the Right Tools for a Turning Shop
Xcelicut is a startup shop that has grown thanks to the right machines, cutting tools, grants and other resources.
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Precision Machining Technology Review: September 2025
Production Machining’s September 2025 technology showcase includes some of the latest technology from Siemens, United Machining Systems, Mazak, Nikon, IMCO Carbide Tool Inc. and Okuma America Corp.
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5 Tips for Multichannel Programming
Programming for multitasking machines can be complex. Knowing several key points for making the process less challenging can save a programmer time as well as lessen confusion and the risk of error.
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Getting the Most Out of Your First Multispindle
A combination of market trends and technological advances have made CNC multispindles an inviting proposition for many shops considering a new equipment purchase.
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CNC Single-Spindle Automatics: A Possible Alternative to Swiss-Types
For many types of high-production, high-precision machining applications, new CNC single-spindle technology might be a more productive, cost-effective choice.
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