Although the earliest lathe models date back to ancient Egypt, lathes and turning centers remain among the most important categories of machine tools used in modern industry. Product announcements and news from a number of manufacturers have been making headlines lately; here is a look.

Hurco shows off third axis

For industry insiders around the globe, the suspension of most of the big manufacturing expo events due to the COVID-19 pandemic over the past several months has perhaps been a bitter pill to swallow. But as they say: Life finds a way. David Tudor, editorial director for British magazine Production Engineering Solutions, reported recently on a “COVID-compliant open house” held by Hurco Europe in October at its headquarters in the United Kingdom, noting that a highlight was the official launch of a new line of general purpose mill turn CNC lathes, the TMM series.

Figure 1: The TM10Mi, one of three 3-axis models in a new line from Hurco. Source: HurcoFigure 1: The TM10Mi, one of three 3-axis models in a new line from Hurco. Source: Hurco

A step up from Hurco’s two-axis TMs, the new series is comprised of slant-bed lathes with live tooling, programmable C-axis and single-setup capability that avoids accuracy loss due to re-fixturing. Each of the three models is denoted by its chuck diameter size: the TM8Mi, 8 in (210 mm) chuck diameter; TM10Mi, 10 in (254 mm); and TM12Mi, 12 in (305 mm). Designed for making small-to-medium lot sizes and performing secondary milling or drilling operations, the TMMs also incorporate interactive touchscreen control for conversational NC programming via Hurco’s Max 5 lathe control software. Here is a video of the TM8Mi in action.

A new breed of ‘cat’ from Doosan

Another recent announcement from the turning center universe is a new 10 in chuck model designed to fill what manufacturer Doosan Machine Tools described as a product line gap. While the company’s best-selling, compact Lynx 2100 series includes an 8 in chuck machine featuring sub-spindle and Y-axis, moving up in chuck size previously meant jumping into a larger family of cats, the Puma 2600 series. Enter the Lynx 2600SY to offer the best of both worlds.

Doosan notes the new model offers easy machining of complex and medium-sized shapes thanks to its single-setup capability, as seen in this video. The modular accessory approach of the Lynx family is also represented with available bar feeders and parts catchers to assist with light automation; gantries are expected to be available in the future. The integration of a late-model FANUC controller with 3D part views is something Doosan refers to as “the icing on the cake.”

Mazak to unveil its Ez series

Here’s an announcement that, at press time, is still to come: a livestream unveiling of a new machine series and control interface from Mazak, scheduled for December 8 at 11:00 am EST. The Ez series includes a line of QT-Ez horizontal turning centers configured as two-axis, milling spindle, Y-axis or second spindle machines, with available chuck sizes of 8, 10 and 12 in. Also available is a three-axis vertical machining center, the VC-Ez 20. Each of the models in the Ez series integrates the new MAZATROL SmoothEz CNC touchscreen interface.

The agenda for the event includes demonstrations of an 8 in QT-Ez model working alongside a FANUC cobot, and a 12 in QT-Es model outfitted with bar feeder, parts catcher and work-exit conveyor accessories. If the live event has already passed, fear not: It is one of several episodes of Mazak’s All Axes podcast, available on various platforms such as Spotify. Mazak has also just launched a 360° virtual campus tour of its Kentucky headquarters.