FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

Spinner expands range of multi-turret CNC lathes

German machine tool manufacturer Spinner Werkzeugmaschinenfabrik, which builds CNC lathes and machining centres at the company’s Sauerlach factory near Munich, has increased its TTS turn-milling centre range. Expanding the size of bar or billet that can be handled, the new 85 and 125 models join the 42 and 65 multi-tasking lathes introduced towards the end of 2021. The sole sales and service agent in the UK and Ireland is Whitehouse Machine Tools.

Launched at the recent EMO 2025 exhibition in Hanover, the TTS 85 and TTS 125 turning centres each have a pair of powerful motor spindles offering a bar capacity of 85 mm (80 kW/930 Nm) and 125 mm (67 kW/1254 Nm) respectively. The chucking of billets up to 500 mm diameter is possible and may be carried out in the sub spindle concurrently with bar working at the main spindle. Customers can specify a tailstock if a twin-spindle machine is not required.

Flexible, modular design allows configurations with two, three or four turrets to meet the user’s precise machining requirements. TTS-Duo, TTS-Duplex and TTS-Twin are different two-turret set ups, with the option of a steady-rest (or two) positioned below the spindle centreline. The TTS-Triplex has three turrets, with or without a steady rest, while the TTS-Quadrex is a four-turret configuration. The tool carriers above the spindles have ±100 mm of Y-axis motion, while those below do not.

The servo indexing turrets are available with 16 or alternatively 12 positions, all of which are live, and utilise BMT45 or BMT65 tool holders to ensure maximum cutting performance and accuracy of tool exchange. Driven tool power is 15 kW, torque is up to 82.7 Nm and the standard 4000 rpm maximum rotational speed may be doubled on request. More information www.wmtcnc.com

Bumotec machines central to success at Art in Vogue

Located near Porto, Art In Vogue (AIV) is a small, dynamic company consisting of two entities: AIV Metal Solutions, which focuses on metal treatments and forming, and AIV Metal Machining, which produces high-precision components. Some 35 specialists are actively involved in bringing customers’ expectations to life. Finding the right way to produce is the ‘added value’ of AIV.

Bruno Correia, CEO of AIV, says: “40 years ago, the company produced components for bags within the leather goods sector. However, in 2000, this traditional industry in Portugal faced an economic crisis, prompting us to explore new market opportunities. We expanded into the precision parts machining sector. In 2018, we invested in CNC machinery, building on our existing turning capabilities. We currently have 11 CNC machines, including the first fully equipped Bumotec turn-mill centre from Starrag installed in Portugal: a s181 nine-axis dual working station model.”

He continues: “The decision to invest in the Bumotec s181 was made primarily based on the efficiency of the machine, which is enhanced by the counter spindle operating in hidden time, allowing us to reduce production time by 40%. Despite being one of the most complex machining centres in the Bumotec range, it offers incredible possibilities for making production as cost-effective and stable as possible. This capability is supported by the bar feeder, which operates autonomously 24/7, including at weekends.”

Adding his thoughts, Daniel Fernandes, director of operations at AIV, says: “The result is clear. Take the part currently being produced on the Bumotec s181, for example, which was initially made on a turning machine with multiple set ups. With our investment we reduced its production time by 50%, while the quality of the finish is also far better.”

More information www.starrag.com

Latest turning machines mitigate high operating costs

With electricity bills, raw material costs and company taxes at record highs, SME manufacturers like 13-person subcontract turn-milling subcontractor C&M Precision are looking to technology to help it maintain profitability.

That is why the firm’s owner and managing director, John Cable, continues to buy Japanese-built lathes from Citizen Machinery UK. Modern versions have proprietary LFV (low frequency vibration) chip-breaking software in the operating system of the controls, helping to maximise a manufacturer’s earnings by ensuring the reliable production of added-value components, while reducing scrap rates to virtually zero.

“We were an early adopter of this technology, buying our first L20-VIIILFV Cincom sliding-head lathe in 2017, the first year the function was available on Citizen turn-mill centres in Europe,” says Cable. “I would never buy another lathe without LFV. We only source machines from Citizen and nearly half of our 13 lathes on the shop floor have the chip-breaking functionality: five Cincoms and a fixed-head Miyano.”

Four of the lathes arrived in the past two years, representing an investment of nearly £750,000 and indicating Cable’s desire to maximise C&M’s use of the technology at its modern production facility in Maldon, Essex. 

The most recent Citizen Cincom to be delivered, in June 2025, was a Cincom L32-XIILFV sliding-head lathe of nominal 32 mm bar capacity, with B-axis live tool carrier and long parts collection unit. The B-axis option on these machines is essential for milling an angled flat on a titanium ball joint, a feature that is impossible to realise on other Citizen lathes at C&M and would otherwise necessitate a second operation.

More information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Star to debut SP-32 at October open house

Star Micronics GB will showcase the new SP-32 sliding-head lathe for the first time in the UK at its annual open house event, taking place on 7-9 October 2025. The SP-32 follows the launch of the SP-23 in 2023, expanding the capability of the series to bar diameters up to 32 mm (35 mm optional).

Designed for versatility, the SP-32 offers a wide tooling capacity and extensive software functions, making it well-suited to a broad range of sectors that include automotive, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, and general subcontract machining.

The machine is equipped with the FANUC 0i-TF Plus CNC, which includes a range of advanced features such as a program data batch input/output function to streamline daily operation. In addition, a new deburring cycle has been added to the Star command system.

Incorporating various technologies to minimise heat generation, the SP-32 includes Star’s thermal displacement correction technology to optimise accuracy, stability and machining performance. The machine is compatible with the latest software developments including Step Cycle Pro chip-breaking technology and Star’s new ECO Mode, an energy saving function that saves power during machine standby.

The SP-32 incorporates a zero-shaped tool post with a six-station platen on the front and a six-spindle cross-drilling unit at the rear. Four of the cross-drilling unit’s spindles are cartridge-type positions where a wide variety of tool units can be mounted to suit complex applications. In addition, a five-spindle sleeve holder (drilling arm) is provided with three positions at 22 mm and two positions at 32 mm diameter.

The back-working platen is specified with a five-spindle tool post with driven-tool capability as standard, enabling up to four rotating tools for efficient (overlapped) back machining and reduced cycle times.

More information www.stargb.com/open

Setting a new benchmark in universal turning

With its new UniversalTurn 50, Emco says it is setting the next milestone in the complete machining of bars and chuck parts. Developed for maximum precision, dynamics and process reliability, the compact, high-performance turning centre offers powerful drive systems, an integrated Y axis for extended milling and flexible automation concepts.

Whether complex turned and milled parts for mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, medical technology or defence – the UniversalTurn 50 impresses with its rigidity, intuitive operation and scalable equipment, reports Emco. Thanks to established Emco technologies combined with progressive new developments, users are said to benefit from efficiency, high cost-effectiveness and high levels of manufacturing quality.

The high-precision turning centre is designed for the efficient and complete machining of bars up to 51 mm diameter bore. An integrated Y axis supports extended milling and helps to maximise machining versatility, while dynamic drive systems deliver fast machining cycles and high accuracy.

A compact counter spindle means users benefit from precise rear-side machining without additional re-clamping. Furthermore, a powerful tool turret with up to 12 driven tool positions adds to a list of further advantages provided by the UniversalTurn 50 that include: a stable cast machine bed for rigidity, damping and process reliability; an absolute measuring system for repeat accuracy without reference point homing; intuitive operation with the SINUMERIK ONE control (optionally available with FANUC 0i plus control from 2026); and access to scalable automation solutions that range from integrated swivel loaders to gantry systems.

Emco says the new machine is a fully co-ordinated machine concept – made in the heart of Europe – for applications in mechanical engineering, automotive, medical technology, defence and more.

More information www.emco-world.com/en