Twin Spindle Lathes | Lathe Options

Turning two! - twin spindle lathes

Not double plays--double turning capacity from twin-spindles. It's a most efficient way to produce parts of rotation in high volumes and batch quantities, according to the distributor for Hwacheon (pronounced wha-cheon) twin-spindle turning centers--Machinery Techniques (Santa Fe Springs, California).

So what's the deal with two spindles? Well, as shops continuously look for ways to get more production from fewer machines, twin-spindle lathes--especially those with fully independent operation of each spindle--begin to make some sense.

Machines like the Hwacheon are essentially two turning centers that share a common base. The spindle arrangement for the Hwacheon puts the spindles in the back of the machine, side-by-side facing the operator. The tool turrets (one per spindle) are on either side of the spindles and move independently. Each turret has capacity for eight ID and eight OD tools.

An ergonomic advantage of this arrangement is that an operator can tend both spindles from one spot. If two machines are located opposite each other, four spindles are within easy reach of a single operator. It is not necessary to run up-and-down a line from machine-to-machine. Everything is right there--accessible.

Sharing a base makes owning twin-spindles economical because the cost for one of these machines is less than the cost of two single-spindle machines yet, you get virtually the same turning capacity. The twin-spindle configuration from Hwacheon uses significantly less floor space than one, not to mention, two conventional single-spindle machines.

A twin-spindle arrangement gives shops production flexibility. While it is true these machines can be set up to run high volumes, and often are, they are also flexible enough to turn smaller batches efficiently. Some variations include, turning two identical workpieces at the same time, which effectively doubles production rates. Or, first and second operations can be run simultaneously, making runs of smaller quantities more efficient. Another way to use the machine's capacity is running two different parts at once, increasing throughput.

Hwacheon makes this machine in 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-inch chuck capacities. Turning speed is 5,000 rpm and power is from a 30 hp drive motor. Depending on the application, the headstock can be arranged with direct drive for high-speed in aluminum or a geared headstock for higher torque operations in harder materials.

One key to the efficient operation of this machine are two Fanuc OT CNCs, standard on the machine. Housed in a single pendant mounted box they are literally two CNCs in one. Each of the machine's spindles, slides and turrets is independently controlled by a dedicated CNC. Duplicate operator controls are mounted on the front of the machine opposite each spindle.

One drawback to dual-spindle lathes has been their all-or-nothing downtime. If one of the spindles broke down, the whole machine was off-line. Builders like Hwacheon have managed to allay that concern with independent spindle operation. Now, if one spindle goes down, the other can keep producing.

Turning two. One of the most efficient plays in baseball--and, a pretty efficient way to turn workpieces too.