In business since 1976, Technox Machine & Manufacturing, Inc. has the specialized skills and equipment for turning large-scale parts in prototype to medium quantities.
Our 3- and 4-axis equipment includes some of the largest machines available to industry today with the speed and power to push the limits of shape, size, and complexity. We have a large inventory of horizontal, vertical, and CNC lathes that give us the ability to turn parts with dimensions of up to 152″ in diameter and 240″ in length while holding tight ± .001″ tolerances.
With a crane capacity of 15 tons, we can easily move large and heavy parts throughout our facility. Whether you require a part made of a standard metal, high-performance alloy, or engineering plastic, we have the capacity to meet your requirements on specification, on time, and on budget.
We maintain a culture of quality and perform a wide range of supervised and documented test and inspection procedures at all critical stages of production. Customers can be assured that no part leaves our shop unless it meets the highest standard of quality. We also offer a range of finishing services, including painting, powder coating, and plating to meet all of your production requirements.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of our large part turning services, request a quote today.
CNC Turning – Vertical & Horizontal Lathes
Machining processes make up a critical part of manufacturing. CNC turning is widely appreciated for its versatility, making it one of the most commonly used CNC processes.
Lathes vs. CNC Turning Centers
CNC lathes are much more limited in their functionality than CNC turning centers. The primary difference between lathes and turning centers relates to the number of axes available for machining. Lathes are simpler machines that perform X-axis and Z-axis tasks, while turning centers incorporate a variety of other capabilities, such as:
- Drilling
- Milling
- Knurling
- Boring
- Tapering
- Threading
Other sub-spindle capabilities may be available based on the specific machine and its tooling. CNC turning machines are available in 3-, 4-, and 5-axis varieties.
Lathe Machine Operations
Though CNC turning centers are becoming more common due to their flexibility and broader range of capabilities, CNC lathes still play a major role in part machining. The following five common tasks are most often performed by lathe machines:
- Contour turning applies the tool to the workpiece in a contoured path, thus creating a contoured shape.
- Form turning feeds a shaped tool radially into the lathe.
- Taper turning feeds the tool into the workpiece at an angle, cutting away more material at one point while progressively cutting away less material along the workpiece at the larger end.
- Straight turning maintains a cylindrical shape throughout the operation while reducing the dimensions of the workpiece.
- Threading produces a threaded spiral using a pointed tool that travels along the rotating workpiece in a linear feed.
Vertical vs. Horizontal Lathes
Machining operations can take place on either a vertical or a horizontal lathe, which refers to the orientation of the spindle.
Vertical Lathes
Vertical lathes orient the spindle in a fixed position in the vertical plane. The workpiece moves up or down to place it in line with the appropriate tool necessary for the desired operation.
Vertical lathes are less complex than horizontal machines. They provide the best option for projects that focus on a single side, like large metal plates and sinking dies. They hold an advantage over horizontal lathes in circumstances where workpiece sagging might be a factor.
Horizontal Lathes
Horizontal lathes do not have a fixed spindle but use a variety of heads mounted to a horizontal arbor. These machines accommodate a wider variety of shapes and sizes and gravity works to keeping the workpiece clean during machining. Most horizontal lathes have the capacity to incorporate automatic bar-stock feeders.
Technox Turning Services
The expert technicians at Technox Machine & Manufacturing have the necessary skills and equipment to machine large-scale components in prototype-, low-, or medium-volume production cycles. Our equipment includes a large inventory of horizontal, vertical, and CNC lathes, including 3 and 4-axis models.
We are able to work with a wide range of materials, including:
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Bronze
- Cast iron
- Copper
- Inconel®
- Hastelloy®
- Nickel
- Steel
- Stainless steel
- Variety of Plastics
We incorporate a variety of test and inspection procedures throughout production to provide quality assurance to our clients.
