The CNC turning center is a valuable versatile machine with high precision, high power and efficiency. This machine allows you to process complex curved parts with incredible accuracy and speed. However, not all turning centers are equally good, so the choice of a machine should be approached very responsibly so as not to spend a large amount of money on a low-quality tool. In this article, we will look at what criteria you should pay attention to when choosing a turning center.
What Is a CNC Turning Center?
A CNC lathe is a tool designed for external and internal processing of complex workpieces such as bodies of revolution. It holds the material in a clamping device called a “chuck”, rotates the chuck and material, and then inserts a static or counter-rotating tool into the material, cutting off a portion of it until the desired shape and size is realized.
With CNC (Computer Numerical Controller) function, the tool can perform standard operations of turning, external and internal threading, and many other turning center functions, making the tool versatile.
Types of CNC Turning Centers
There are quite a few types of CNC lathes that differ in design, but the principle of their operation remains the same – they all rotate the material during processing. The most popular types of CNC lathes include:
- Horizontal
- Vertical
- Inverse Vertical
- “Swiss” Type
Let’s look at each type in more detail to identify the differences and features of each type.
Horizontal
The CNC horizontal lathe is the most popular and suitable for most workshop applications. This type of machine is designed like a typical bench machine with a rotating spindle at one end attached to a holding device such as a collet and a tailstock at the end. The advantage of such machines is that they can be easily equipped with many options and accessories, which allows them to be even more productive and versatile.
Vertical
Vertical lathes are also known as VTL (Vertical Turret Lathe) or VTC (Vertical Lathe Center). The vertical design of the machine allows the machining of larger parts of 30 inches or more, and some versions are capable of processing parts weighing several tons.
Inverse Vertical
There are inverted vertical turning centers that change the position of the spindle and turret, which gives the machine some unique advantages. Lathes of this type are great for the production of small parts, as there is the possibility of easy automation settings.
Tips How to Choose the Right CNC Turning Center
Choosing the right CNC turning center is not so difficult if you know what to look for when choosing, what indicators to consider.
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- Define the desired results
The first thing to do is to decide what types of work the machine should perform and what result you want to get from the machine. The machine can be supplemented with the best tool accessories https://advacut.ca/tools/accessories/ which will expand its functionality. Therefore, knowing the preferred result, you can easily determine the characteristics of the machine you need.
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- Processing material
CNC machines are capable of machining most materials, including aluminium, copper, cast or hardened steel, titanium and inconel. The type of material being machined will influence the type of machine design and the selected spindle. The type of material also determines the maximum spindle speed and the timing of the work.
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- Detail size
Once you have decided what you need the machine for, you will clearly know the size and type of parts that you will produce on it. If your parts are no larger than 2 inches in diameter, then a horizontal type CNC turning center is perfect for such purposes. If your parts are 30-40″ diameter or larger, then you need to consider a turning center with a vertical design. If the parts are “flattened”, a turning center with a reverse vertical design is better for you.
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- Machine speed.
When choosing a machine, pay attention to the feed rate of the machine. This is the speed at which you can cut materials during manufacturing processes, which directly affects the time it takes to make a single part.
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- Availability of spare parts
Like any other tool, a CNC machine can break or wear out with use. Before buying, you must make sure that the brand you are purchasing can be easily repaired and spare parts are always available. This minimizes downtime for equipment downtime from the moment of breakdown to its repair.
Buying a CNC lathe is an expensive purchase for any business, so the choice of model and manufacturer must be approached with full responsibility. Explore more offers in the niche, learn about the terms of the deal and feel free to ask questions to the manufacturers. No one will ever tell you better about a product than the company that created it.
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