The Foolproof CNC Lathes and Turning Centers Strategy

Posted on 26 December, 2023 by perrilshy

If you're looking for a used CNC lathe or turning center, you can find many options on uBid. These machines are computer-controlled, making them much more accurate than traditional manual machine tools.

Turning centers can have 3, 4 or 5-axes and come equipped with a powered rotary tool turret, sub-spindle (dual spindles), Y-axis and multiple turrets to achieve more versatile capabilities.

Accuracy

One of the biggest differences between lathes and turning centers is their accuracy. While a simple lathe can cut to within 2mm of a given measurement, a CNC machine will cut much closer. A good quality machine will hold that accuracy over time, whereas a manual lathe may lose precision over repeated use.

This is because the machinist must be constantly monitoring the machine to ensure that it is following the correct path. In contrast, a CNC machine can do this automatically. This is especially useful when machining metal parts that require complex cuts. This level of automation also means that the machinist can work more quickly, increasing production rates. This makes CNC Lathes and Turning Centers a good choice for businesses that must meet high demand for products. In addition, the machines consume less electricity than grinding machines, reducing monthly utility bills. They also produce fewer metal chips, which can be recycled rather than thrown away as industrial waste.

Speed

While experienced machinists can still produce fast turnaround times on lathes, turning centers offer more efficiency in terms of speed and axes. Using multi-spindle, live tooling, and a fully enclosed design to keep high-speed coolant inside, they can perform more in one setup than a lathe can.

They can drill, bore, and ream holes as the workpiece spins, or with a boring bar when the piece is stationary. They can also cut threads and enlarge existing holes, or turn cylindrical components like shafts and axles with ease. One can visit the site to get complete insights about electric motors for sale.

A machine shop can also set up a CNC lathe to cut a specific diameter with each pass, which saves time when creating multiple identical parts. Additionally, they can choose to use Constant Surface Speed (CSS) instead of RPM, which gives the same cutting speed for each length of material removed, regardless of the axis being cut. This feature also reduces cycle times and produces a more uniform finish on the part.

Versatility

While CNC lathes and turning centers may seem similar in many ways, they are actually quite different. While CNC lathes can perform rotational machining operations, such as knurling, threading, and drilling with the tailstock, they do not have milling capabilities. Turning centers, on the other hand, are designed to support multiple machining functions, including power milling and drilling with a powered rotary tool turret.

This allows them to reduce the amount of equipment needed for a specific job, increasing production efficiency and reducing costs. It also reduces the amount of idle time that would normally occur when changing tools and adjusting to new positions on the workpiece. The basic CNC lathe consists of the carriage and cutting tool turret, which support the cutting tool and guide it against the part. However, the CNC Turning Center takes this to the next level with automated tool changing, live rotating tools, efficient chip removal, and other features that allow a single setup to machine many parts without having to transfer them to another machine for additional machining.