FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

CMZ TA Series Lathe Lurpasses 3000 Machines Dold

CMZ has reached a significant manufacturing milestone with the sale of its 3000th TA series lathe, underlining the enduring popularity of the slant-bed turning centre among manufacturers seeking precision, reliability and long-term performance.

Introduced more than 20 years ago, the TA Series has earned a strong reputation in demanding production environments by combining robust construction with high machining accuracy and productivity. The range is available with three Z-axis travel options of 400, 600 and 1100 mm, providing the flexibility to suit a wide variety of turning applications.

A defining feature of the TA series is its prismatic bed, which is stabilised, machined and ground in a single set up at CMZ’s manufacturing facilities. Each machine is hand-scraped during assembly to optimise slideway performance, while direct metal-to-metal contact eliminates the need for Turcite, helping maintain long-term geometric accuracy and extending service life.

All models are equipped with an oil-cooled integrated motor turret delivering 75 Nm of torque, 11 kW of power and speeds up to 12,000 rpm. A three-curvic coupling design enables tool changes in just 0.2 seconds while improving thermal stability. Oil-cooled integrated spindles, free from belts and pulleys, further enhance accuracy, surface finish and machining performance by reducing vibration and spindle runout.

The TA series is also fully compatible with CMZ’s GL20 II gantry loader, providing straightforward automation for both short and long production runs.

Manufactured entirely in Europe, the TA series reflects CMZ’s vertically integrated production philosophy, with more than 80% of machine components produced in-house. By maintaining close control over manufacturing and the supply chain, CMZ combines premium components with competitive pricing, delivering machine tools designed to provide reliable performance for more than two decades.More information www.cmz.com

Aerzen Relies On WFL’s Automated MillTurn Technology

Aerzen has strengthened its machining capability with two further WFL M65 MillTurn centres, creating a highly automated manufacturing cell that is improving productivity, process reliability and ergonomics at its headquarters in Lower Saxony, Germany.

The family-owned manufacturer, which develops blowers and compressors for industries ranging from water treatment and food processing to chemical and process engineering, now operates 10 WFL M65 MillTurn machines, which combine turning and milling capabilities in a single platform. The latest investment integrates two turn-mill centres with an ABB loading robot, Kardex storage system and fully digital production workflow.

The automated cell is primarily used to manufacture rotary lobe blower rotors, processing materials including C45 steel and EN-GJS-500-7 cast iron. According to Tobias Krebs, team leader for mechanical applications, machining these components presents significant challenges due to interrupted cuts and variations in material hardness. To maintain accuracy and stability, the machines are equipped with 55 kW spindles, enabling complete machining in a single set up while consistently achieving machining tolerances of 0.02 mm.

The new cell also links directly with Aerzen’s ERP, tool management and CADCAM systems, allowing production orders, tooling and machine programs to be managed automatically. Once an operator releases a job, the robot retrieves raw components directly from standard delivery pallets using bin-picking technology before loading the machines without manual intervention.

Although automatic part positioning adds slightly to machining time, eliminating manual loading delays has significantly increased overall efficiency. The automation also reduces physical handling of heavy components weighing several hundred kilograms, improving workplace ergonomics and supporting unattended production.

Having relied on WFL technology for almost 20 years, Aerzen cites the machines’ reliability, complete-machining capability and responsive after-sales support among the reasons for its continued investment.

More information www.wfl.at

Harrison Lathe Bolsters Offshore Maintenance Operations

LTS Maskin, the exclusive Norwegian distributor for Colchester Machine Tool Solutions, has overseen the installation of a Harrison V460 variable-speed centre lathe on the Oseberg C offshore platform in the North Sea, supporting critical maintenance operations in one of the world’s most demanding engineering environments.

Operated by Equinor, the Oseberg C Platform required a robust and accurate machine tool capable of delivering reliable machining performance under challenging offshore conditions. LTS Maskin recommended the Harrison V460, recognising its combination of precision, durability and compact design as ideally suited to the application.

The Harrison V460 features a variable-speed drive for smooth, accurate cutting across a wide range of materials commonly encountered in offshore engineering. Its heavy-duty construction provides the rigidity and reliability needed for long-term operation in harsh marine environments, while high levels of machining accuracy and repeatability ensure critical maintenance work can be completed to demanding tolerances.

Ease of operation was another important consideration. The machine’s intuitive controls enable engineers to carry out machining tasks efficiently, while its compact footprint makes it well suited to offshore installations where workshop space is often limited.

The project demonstrates the close working relationship between Colchester Machine Tool Solutions and LTS Maskin, combining proven machine tool technology with local engineering expertise and customer support. Together, the companies continue to supply machining solutions tailored to the needs of Norwegian industry.

The successful installation on the Oseberg C Platform further strengthens Harrison’s reputation in demanding industrial applications and underlines LTS Maskin’s commitment to supporting customers across the offshore, manufacturing and precision engineering sectors with reliable, high-performance machine tools.

More information www.colchester.co.uk

Reaping The Rewards From New Multi-Tasking CNC Lathe

Since installing a new DN Solutions Puma 3100LSY multi-tasking lathe from Mills CNC, Chesterfield Special Cylinders (CSC) has increased productivity, improved process efficiency, reduced subcontracting costs and strengthened machining capability at its Sheffield manufacturing facility.

Supplied by Mills CNC, the Puma 3100LSY was installed in February 2026. Featuring a 10-inch chuck, 102 mm bar capacity, sub spindle, Y axis and driven tooling, the machine enables complete machining of complex components in a single set up.

CSC, a manufacturer of high-pressure gas containment solutions for safety-critical aerospace and defence applications, is using the machine to produce industrial gas cylinders and high-pressure adaptor components. The lathe’s rigid box guideway construction has proved particularly effective when removing mill scale from forged cylinders, a demanding operation essential for achieving high-quality surface finishes before coating.

The investment followed a review of CSC’s turning capabilities, which identified production bottlenecks and an over-reliance on subcontract machining.

“We wanted to bring this work back in-house to reduce costs and regain greater control over quality and lead times,” explains production engineer Adam Mellor.

Project manager Jason Langton says the company required a compact, multi-tasking lathe capable of completing complex parts in one operation while retaining the familiar FANUC control platform used elsewhere in the factory. Following discussions with several machine tool suppliers, CSC selected the Puma 3100LSY based on its technical capability, productivity and support package.

Configured with an automatic tool setter, LNS mist extraction and BobCAD-CAM software, the machine was production-ready from installation. It has also been prepared for future expansion with a programmable steady rest for machining longer components.

Within months of commissioning, the Puma 3100LSY has enabled CSC to increase machining efficiency, reduce subcontracting and strengthen its long-term manufacturing capability.

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

Latest Miyano Becomes Subcontractor’s Go-To CNC Lathe

Established in 2001 as a sliding-head turned parts subcontractor, Yorkshire Precision Engineering Ltd (YPEL) expanded into fixed-head machining in 2007 with its first Japanese-built Miyano lathe. More than two decades later, the Keighley-based manufacturer has strengthened its machining capability again by investing in a new Miyano BNE-65MYY from Citizen Machinery UK.

Now led by second-generation directors Sam and Jack Laybourne, YPEL supplies precision components to sectors including oil and gas, medical, agriculture, marine and electronics. The new 65 mm capacity twin-spindle, twin Y-axis turning centre has quickly become the company’s preferred machine thanks to significant gains in productivity, accuracy and flexibility.

“Parts come off the BNE twice as quickly as one of our older Miyano machines,” says managing director Sam Laybourne. “The twin Y-axis turrets allow us to complete more complex components in a single operation, while the machine’s rigidity and thermal stability deliver higher quality parts with less tool wear.”

The BNE’s hand-scraped box guideways provide exceptional rigidity, enabling higher cutting parameters, reduced vibration and improved surface finish. Together with faster feeds and speeds, these features have helped YPEL reduce cycle times while maintaining tolerances as tight as ±10 µm when required.

Technical director Jack Laybourne says investment in modern machine tools forms part of a wider strategy to improve efficiency and profitability: “Repairing older machines was becoming increasingly costly. Investing in new technology allows us to reduce operations, increase throughput and improve reliability.”

Citizen Machinery UK also provided operator training and Alkart Wizard conversational programming software, simplifying the programming of complex multi-path machining operations.

So successful has the BNE-65MYY proved that YPEL has already ordered a further Miyano turning centre, a BNJ-51SY7 LFV, to expand capacity and support reliable lights-out production of difficult-to-machine materials.

More information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk