Eight Articles to Understand Live Tooling

In the ever-evolving world of manufacturing, adaptation is key to staying competitive. Live tooling emerges as a solution, as it is specifically driven by the CNC control and the turret of various spindle and powered sub-spindle configurations on CNC lathes to perform various operations while the workpiece remains in orientation to the main spindle.

Whether you are a pro at live tooling or are learning about it for the first time, these eight articles from Modern Machine Shop will cover all you need to know.

An Introduction to Live Tooling

As jobs change or volume increases and the need arises for new machinery, don’t just accept the standard tooling packages provided by the builder before researching whether live tooling makes sense.

4 Questions To Ask When Moving to Live Tooling

Live tooling is well-known as an excellent option for performing secondary operations on turned parts. They eliminate the losses of precision and time from moving a part to a milling machine, making turning machines much more productive.

When a Lathe With Live Tooling Rivals a Multitasking Machine

When buying a lathe, after considering what sorts of workpieces the machine must be prepared to handle, it’s time to ponder tooling options. 

Live Tool Speed Increaser Spurs Engraving Cost Savings

By using a Heimatec speed increaser provided by Platinum Tooling, Kurt Machining was able to achieve ninefold cost savings for a project engraving 6060 aluminum.

Buying a Lathe: Turrets and Live Tooling

One important consideration when purchasing a turning machine concerns tooling. The number of stations in the tool turret must be adequate for the number of tools needed to process the particular part.

Swiss-Type, Live Tooling Lathes Help Turn Company Around

New leadership’s investment in Swiss-type and live tooling lathes has enabled Rathburn Tool & Manufacturing to expand into new markets, reversing the company’s sluggish growth.

Going Live on a Vertical Lathe

For this company, investing in live tooling and a high-pressure coolant system on a pair of new CNC vertical lathes eliminated setups, increased throughput and led to safer material handling on the shop floor.

Getting Started with Live Tools

When any metalworking manufacturing facility, whether captive operation or job shop, makes the substantial investment in a new lathe, it is often looking for ways to streamline the manufacturing process.