LATHES

CNC second-operation lathes

By definition they are fixed-heads. CNC lathes can, theoretically, be destined second-operation lathes. By it we mean all those secondary turning operations on mechanical parts don’t included in the mass production of an end-product. 
They are the turning processes running with another metal working on the same piece; both will realize the end-product.

1 -The teach-in lathes
They have a classic structure as  conventional centre lathes, but equipped with a numerical control. This feature allows the machine to memorize work programs and repeat them indefinitely. As for centre lathes, the most important technical characteristics for these machines are the height of the tips, the distance between the tips and the maximum turning diameter.

2 – The vertical lathes
These machines are necessary for the processing of large and heavy weight pieces such as the manufacture of railway wheels. The peculiar configuration of the vertical lathe includes the spindle platform housing (called plateau), at the base of the working area, allowing the clamping and processing of large pieces. The tool is placed in the upper part, in a mirror position of the platform. The tool is positioned on a device called RAM that allows the tool movement along the workpiece.

CNC bar lathes or automatic lathes

On the other hand, cnc bar lathes, as the name suggests, are automatic lathes and contribute to the mass-production. Bar metal workings make the most of their automation potential  in order to produce large quantities of mass-production pieces. 
The bar lathes are enslaved by the so-called bar feeder, feeding the bars automatically. Automatic lathes can be single-spindle or multi-spindle type.

1 – Single-spindle lathes
In the family of single-spindle automatic lathes, the experts first distinguish two types of machines, one with a fixed head and one with a moving head.

The single-spindle automatic lathes with sliding headstock also called swiss-type are ideal machines for the serial processing of pieces smaller than diam. 42 mm and therefore are ideal for small mechanical goods.

They are utilized in the medical and watch sectors. 

For small mechanical mass-production goods by the use of sliding headstock lathes, it is important to pay attention to the type of coolant used, to guarantee maximum results in terms of chip breaking, outflow of the enormous amount of chip produced and not lastly to guarantee the maximum durability of the cutting tool. Normally maximum efficiency is obtained by using neat, preferred than emulsion.

2 – Multi-spindle / multi-spindle lathers
They are typically steady headstock lathes, where the driving head, normally with horizontal axis, contains several workpiece spindles (from 2 to 12), which can also rotate at different speeds, and with the possibility of working multiple pieces simultaneously. In addition to the  turning process , it also performs various additional metal working, such as threading, milling or polygon.
The lathe can work the front  and back part,too,  offering a complete production process. 
For small mechanical mass-production goods with multi-spindle lathes, it is important to pay attention to the type of coolant in order to guarantee maximum results in terms of truciolability, outflow of the enormous amount of chips produced and not least ensure maximum durability of the cutting tool. Normally, maximum efficiency is obtained by using neat oil, preferred than emulsion.