FEATURE ON CNC LATHES AND TURNING CENTRES

XYZ Turning Machines in the Spotlight at MACH 2026

Covering a floor space of 240 m², the XYZ Machine Tools stand (20-160) at the MACH 2026
exhibition (NEC Birmingham, 20-24 April), will have something that appeals to every

workshop. Akin to a classic rock band gig, there will be some new stuff, the trusted
favourites and something a little bit different.
Several machines in the XYZ range are controlled by the Siemens 828D controls, aimed at
giving manufacturers a distinct production advantage. The XYZ 65 LTY-S twin/sub spindle
CNC turning centre is a case in point, allowing shops to get parts off the machine complete.
Supplied with a 65 mm main spindle bar capacity and providing a maximum turned diameter
of 380 mm and mated to the 12-station BMT65 driven-tool turret, the LTY-S offers the
opportunity to turn, mill and drill complex parts using its X, Z and Y axes.
XYZ says the simple transfer cycle provided by the Siemens Shopturn software makes
second-end work a breeze once the work sits in the sub spindle with all the functionality
offered on the main spindle. Transition to the sub spindle ensures greater productivity with
enhanced accuracy and provides the opportunity for lights out running.
Continuing the turning machine theme at MACH will be the XYZ CT52LR, which provides
manufacturers of two-axis turned parts a cost-effective solution when it comes to machine
investment. Taking up only 2 x 1.5 m of floor space and built using the latest linear-rail
technology, the CT52LR still benefits from a 10-station turret, 150 mm diameter three-jaw
chuck and a tool-setting arm that allows users to get the most from this 52 mm bar capacity
turning centre.
More information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Expanded options for managing machine tool lifecycle

Fives Machining Systems Inc (FMSI), part of the High Precision Machines Division of Fives and OEM for the Cincinnati and Giddings & Lewis machine tool brands, is entering a strategic partnership with Prestige Equipment Corp, a provider of industrial asset disposition and used machinery solutions.

Building on Fives’ long-standing expertise in new machine tool solutions, OEM-backed parts and service, equipment modernisation, and full lifecycle support, the partnership expands customer options by adding access to high-quality used equipment, global resale channels and professional asset recovery solutions. 

Under the agreement, Prestige Equipment will support Fives customers with strategic surplus machinery sales and full asset disposition programmes; trade-in options to offset new machine investments; certified equipment appraisals and valuations; and access to global used-equipment markets.

Fives will continue supporting Prestige Equipment customers withOEM-backed maintenance, parts and technical service; retrofit and rebuild solutions; new machine tools and turnkey production systems; preventive maintenance and machine health assessments; and equipment relocation services.

Together, the combined offering helps manufacturers better co-ordinate equipment disposition, modernisation and capital investment planning, ultimately creating smoother transitions between surplus asset recovery and upgraded production capabilities. Prestige customers also gain access to Fives’ OEM engineering expertise, global service network and high-precision machine technologies.

“Our customers are focused on maximising uptime, extending asset life and making smart capital investment decisions,” says Wolfgang Neitzke, business development at Fives. “Fives has always supported manufacturers across the full lifecycle of their equipment. This partnership expands the options available for managing and monetising surplus assets while aligning recovery strategies with broader production and investment plans.”

The collaboration is especially beneficial for manufacturers undergoing expansions, consolidations or technology upgrades.

More information www.fivesgroup.com

New Lynx lathe investment improves turnaround times

Mills CNC has recently supplied RCF Bolt & Nut, part of the TGM Industrial Group and a manufacturer of industrial fasteners, with a new compact, high-precision CNC lathe. The machine, a FANUC-controlled 8” chuck Lynx 2100LB manufactured by DN Solutions, is now operational at the company’s 40,000 ft² production and machine shop facility in Wednesbury, West Midlands. The machine is already proving pivotal in helping improve productivity and process efficiencies by reducing production bottlenecks and, as a result, improving turnaround times.

Says managing director Adrian Garrett: “We’re on a strong growth trajectory and demand for our standard and bespoke solutions has been growing exponentially over the past few years. While this is good news, it was putting pressure on our in-house machining resources. We needed additional capacity, and we needed it fast.”

RCF Bolt & Nut’s positive experience with a previous Lynx 220LM lathe led the company to contact Mills CNC in the summer of 2025 to discuss its immediate machining requirements.

“We were introduced to the Lynx 2100LB and could see that its technical capacity and capabilities fitted the bill perfectly,” says Garrett.

Since installation, the Lynx 2100LB has been put through its paces machining ‘near net shape’ forged bolt and nut blanks made from a range of different materials. Machining operations include internal and external single-point threading, boring, reaming, rigid tapping, chamfering and parting off.

Concludes Garrett: “The new Lynx 2100LB is a fast, accurate and flexible machine. Its acquisition is evidence of our continuous improvement programme in action, and we’re aiming to continue upgrading our machine shop in the months to come.”

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

James Aiken boosts machining with Colchester Tornado

James Aiken, a precision engineering company based in Aberdeen, has strengthened its machining capabilities with the addition of a Colchester Tornado SL35L.

Specialising in onshore and offshore energy, power generation, food processing and commercial utilities, the company provides high-precision machined components for critical applications. To maintain its reputation for quality, reliability and efficiency, James Aiken needed a turning centre that could meet the high demands of these industries while ensuring long-term performance.

The company duly invested in a Colchester Tornado SL35L two-axis, long bed-turning centre. This particular model was selected to increase production capacity, optimise workflow, and ensure consistent precision for machining complex components used in energy infrastructure and industrial systems.

The Tornado SL35L is a versatile and robust CNC lathe, engineered to meet the rigorous standards of industries where reliability, accuracy and efficiency are essential. The long-bed capability accommodates larger components required in offshore and power generation applications, while its potential for high-precision machining ensures repeatable accuracy for mission-critical components.

Having used Colchester Tornado machines since 2006, James Aiken has continuously relied on the precision, durability and performance that these lathes provide. Its decision to purchase the SL35L was based on this proven track record of reliability, ensuring the production line remains efficient and capable of delivering high-quality components to customers.

Beyond the quality of Colchester machines, James Aiken values the customer support and aftercare provided by Colchester Machine Tool Solutions. Access to expert technical assistance, maintenance and spare parts ensures machining operations remain at peak performance, minimising downtime and maximising productivity.

More information www.colchester.co.uk

PTG Precision automates production with Dugard SMEC

PTG Precision Engineers – an engineering specialist with over 40 years of experience serving the nuclear, aerospace and energy sectors – has taken a significant step towards production automation with the installation of a SMEC NS2000 bar-fed turning centre supplied by Dugard. The investment represents the company’s first foray into automated machining and comes in response to a growing order book and persistent challenges in recruiting skilled machinists.

Over the past 12 months, PTG had experienced a significant upturn in demand, creating operational pressures that existing production capacity struggled to accommodate. When PTG mentioned its interest in a bar-fed lathe to Dugard, the trusted machine tool supplier put together a comprehensive package.

PTG selected the SMEC NS2000A, a bar-fed turning centre that combines accessibility with precision. The NS2000A is equipped with a 6-inch chuck and offers a maximum turning diameter of 310 mm, with a swing over bed of 565 mm.

PTG’s new SMEC NS2000 has been integrated with an LNS bar feeder. The transformation in production has been dramatic. Previously, PTG was processing batches of 25 expanding mandrills at a time on conventional equipment. With the SMEC NS2000 and LNS bar feeder combination, the company now runs batches of 350 off – a 14-fold increase in batch size that has fundamentally changed stock availability and production scheduling.

“The machine requires very little set up,” notes production manager Jim Adkins. “In the morning, we may spend an hour setting the bar feeder, loading it up with bars, putting the programs through again. Then the guys go back and run our other machines. They only return to remove parts from the catcher every half an hour.”

More information www.dugard.com