New Lathe Suggestion

[Brad Lisle]

We are in the market for a new lathe. Our criteria is:

 

12-15" Chuck

Dual turrets

Live tool with Y-axis on main

 

We have looked at Mori and nakamura. From what we find they do not offer anything with all three options in this size. Any suggestions?

[Greg Williams]

Okuma LT300MY Okuma Macturn 550W

[Brad Lisle]

I could not find specs on okums website for LT300MY? Is this an older machine? Will look into the 550W. I'm not sure if they will go for a MACTURN though. The operators here are pretty old school and the one getting this new machine WILL NOT touch a computer to program. He only uses canned cycles and fat-fingers everybit of it.

[Greg Williams]

Try Here

 

http://www.konesko.e...emid=84〈=en

 

And

 

http://www.okumaaust...20Star%20LT300M

 

Above the Y axis is listed as an Option. Also this machine is twin spindle

[YoDoug®]

How big are the parts you want to turn. The LT is an awesome lathe but a 12 in chuck is pusing the size envelope.

[Greg Williams]

The LT is an awesome lathe but a 12 in chuck is pusing the size envelope

 

Yes I agree. A 12" will fit but a 10" would be better. The problem is nearly all large twin turret lathes do not have a Y axis

[chris m]

How about an Okuma MacTurn550? If your guy is afraid of a Multus, he'll really love the MacTurn.

 

Never buy a machine for an operator, buy (or train) an operator for the machine

 

C

[Goldorak]

this summer we buy a Mazak QT250MSY, not a bad machine , but it's far behind our Okuma Captain for programming in G-code and the Okuma's P-200 control is more user friendly than the Mazak's fusion

[SKIR68]

Think Multus, way more room than a Okuma LB3000, especiall on the sub-side.

[Brad Lisle]

Yes I agree. A 12" will fit but a 10" would be better. The problem is nearly all large twin turret lathes do not have a Y axis

We already have several 10" lathes and NEED BIGGER. So in this case 10" would not be better. As for the Y-axis, this is the exact problem we are running into.

 

Never buy a machine for an operator, buy (or train) an operator for the machine

Unfortunately it is not up to me. I have already made this comment.

 

We are looking into MacTurn 550 this machine looks promising. I will talk it over with the owner and GM.

 

Thanks for the guidance.

[GoetzInd]

It's kind of hard to find a machine that big w/ yaxis. The problem is, most compound slide machines only have +/- 3" stroke at the most on the Y axis. Not gonna do ya much good if your part is 10" in dia. A big b axis mill turn is going to be your best bet. And as others have said, going to provide you with a lot more room.

 

Mike

[chris m]

MacTurns are beautiful machines; I visited Okuma's Nagoya plant, which builds these machines, and they are rugged as heck under the sheetmetal. Be prepared for some sticker shock, though, because they ain't cheap. I would suggest Capto for the spindle and lower-turret tools so you can use the same turning tools top and bottom.

 

C

[compressor sam]

Brad,

if it`s really big parts, you will not get better than a WFL millturn, but VERY expensive, we have 2 and are considering purchasing another

 

 

linky

[Charlie Pierson]

DMG Twin perhaps ??

[taperlength]

This would be my dream machine for turning/milling

 

[chris m]

Taper,

 

Several problems with that style machine in my mind:

 

1) you only have [1] tool in the cut at a time

2) no handoff capability for second side machining

3) Turning tool overhangs are ridiculous

4) 1100 RPM isn't gonna cut it for turning

5) no barfeeding capability

 

If you are looking for a milling machine that can turn, that style machine is very nice, if you are looking for a turning machine that can mill, that style machine is not for you, if you are looking to split the difference a MacTurn or other machine with a subspindle and lower turret (or two) is the way to go in my opinion.

 

C

[taperlength]

Taper,

 

Several problems with that style machine in my mind:

 

1) you only have [1] tool in the cut at a time

2) no handoff capability for second side machining

3) Turning tool overhangs are ridiculous

4) 1100 RPM isn't gonna cut it for turning

5) no barfeeding capability

 

If you are looking for a milling machine that can turn, that style machine is very nice, if you are looking for a turning machine that can mill, that style machine is not for you, if you are looking to split the difference a MacTurn or other machine with a subspindle and lower turret (or two) is the way to go in my opinion.

 

C

 

 

Those are all valid arguments for getting a real lathe.

However, consider the advantages:

Up to 120 tools in the magazine...how many times have you run out of turret positions and still need to add a tap or reamer?

Optional pallet changer...one part can be loaded while another is turned or two different jobs can be run alternately.

Mill work done from any angle to .001 degree.

18000 rpm on the mill spindle and 30hp.

This machine is for big parts with lots of details to be machined in.

[chris m]

Not arguing at all that those machines do not have value, they certainly do. Mazak, Okuma, Matsuura, and other have spent millions in development for machines like what you showed in the linked video. The only point I was trying to make is that those machines are not ideal for "turn/mill" applications.

[jas6142]

What about Index? Possibly a G300 or G400?

[Greg Williams]

Like this one