Hillary Machinery supplies 3-axis live tool CNC lathes for parts requiring turning plus milling, drilling, tapping and other secondary operations. Also called turn-mill or mill-turn CNC lathes, these machines use powered tooling to machine additional part features while the workpiece remains in the lathe, helping reduce secondary setups and part handling.
Live tool CNC lathes expand conventional turning capability by adding powered rotating tools to the turret. In addition to normal turning operations, live tooling can perform milling, drilling, tapping and other machining operations while the workpiece remains in the lathe.
These machines are often called turn-mill or mill-turn CNC lathes because they combine turning and milling capabilities within a single machine. For the right parts, combining operations can reduce setups, work-in-process and the need to move components between separate machines.
A conventional lathe turret typically holds stationary cutting tools while the workpiece rotates in the spindle. A live-tool turret can also power rotating cutting tools such as drills, end mills and taps.
Combined with spindle positioning and C-axis control, live tooling allows additional features to be machined without removing the component from the turning center.
Depending on machine configuration, tooling and part geometry, live-tool CNC lathes can combine operations including:
One of the primary reasons to choose a live-tool CNC lathe is to complete more of the part in one setup. A component that would otherwise require turning on a lathe followed by drilling or milling on a machining center may be produced with fewer setups on a turn-mill machine.
Reducing secondary operations can decrease part handling, shorten total manufacturing time and help maintain feature relationships by machining more of the component from a common setup.
A 2-axis CNC lathe is generally the more straightforward choice when a component requires primarily conventional turning operations. A live-tool CNC lathe becomes attractive when the part also requires milled, drilled or tapped features.
If secondary machining represents a significant portion of the manufacturing process, performing those operations with live tooling may reduce the number of machines and setups required to complete the part.
Live tooling does not automatically mean a machine has all the capabilities of a more advanced multi-axis turning center. Machines equipped with additional axes, Y-axis capability, sub-spindles or multiple turrets can provide greater flexibility for more complex components.
When the part requires extensive off-center milling, back-working or simultaneous machining capability, a multi-axis CNC lathe may be the better solution.
Hillary Machinery offers Hyundai WIA live tool CNC lathes for manufacturers that need to combine turning and secondary machining operations.
Available configurations can support a range of part sizes, chuck capacities, spindle requirements and production applications, including machines designed for more complex turn-mill manufacturing.
Explore Hyundai WIA CNC Lathes
Live-tool turning centers are particularly useful for components that combine rotational geometry with holes, flats, slots, threads or other milled features.
Selecting a live-tool CNC lathe should begin with the complete part and machining process. Hillary Machinery can help evaluate factors including:
Live-tool CNC lathes can be integrated with bar feeders, robotic machine tending and other material-handling systems. Combining multiple machining operations with automated loading and unloading can further reduce operator intervention and increase productive spindle hours.
Hillary Machinery provides CNC machine tools and automation integration for manufacturers looking to increase production using existing labor resources.
A live tool CNC lathe uses powered rotating tools in the turret to perform operations such as milling, drilling and tapping in addition to conventional turning operations.
The terms turn-mill and mill-turn are often used broadly for machines that combine turning and milling operations. Machine configurations can vary significantly, so the required axes, tooling and spindle capabilities should be evaluated based on the actual part and manufacturing process.
Live tooling can allow milled and drilled features to be produced while the part remains in the lathe. This can reduce secondary setups and eliminate transfers to another machine for some components.
C-axis control allows the CNC to control the angular position of the spindle. When combined with live tooling, this enables operations such as positioned drilling and milling at programmed locations around the workpiece.
Y-axis capability should be considered when part geometry requires additional off-center milling or drilling capability that cannot be efficiently completed using the available X, Z and C-axis movements.
Yes. Depending on machine and part configuration, live-tool CNC lathes can use bar feeders, robots and other material-handling systems for automated production.
Hillary Machinery can help evaluate your turned and milled features, part dimensions, tooling requirements, production volume and automation needs to determine whether a 3-axis live-tool lathe or a more advanced multi-axis turning center is the appropriate solution.
View Available Live Tool CNC Lathes or contact Hillary Machinery to discuss your turn-mill application.
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