Equipment that can turn, mill and more is quickly becoming the standard in metalworking technology. These machines can produce increasingly complex parts in a single setup yet are easier operate than ever before.

Many multitasking machines are based on a lathe design in which a milling spindle(s) has been added. The most basic is a turning center with live tooling, which refers to driven spindles that mount on a tool gang plate or turret that can be used for milling flats or drilling holes.

Quick-change tooling enables faster setups of live and static tooling for new jobs, minimizing the time a turning center is down for an operator to ready it for new work.

Swiss-type lathes featuring a swiveling B axis can perform five-axis work on complicated parts to machine them complete. New models include a B-axis automatic tool changer.

A big advance for job shops that run big parts came when B-axis spindles having the torque and power to match dedicated milling machines as well as automatic toolchangers were added to turning center platforms. These “turn-mills” can create prismatic parts just as easily as cylindrical ones.

Twin-turret lathes can perform “pinch turning,” in which two static cutting tools are simultaneously driven down the machine’s Z axis to double the material removal rate.

IMTS exhibitors are ready to show you exciting new multitasking products that can lower your costs and transform your business. Live Demos and immersive presentations allow you to dive into the processes and products you have been searching for.

CNC sliding headstock lathes are becoming more popular among traditional machine shops for their multitasking capabilities, some offering B-axis milling spindles.

With the addition of powerful B-axis milling spindles and automatic toolchangers, turn-mills combine the best of milling and turning worlds.

Platforms such as multi-spindles and rotary transfer machines remain well-suited for high-volume production, but are now more accommodating to smaller batch sizes.

Digital Manufacturing. Implemented. International Manufacturing Technology Show | September 14-19, 2020

Copyright © | All Rights Reserved. AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology