Twin Spindle Vertical Lathe Provides Flexibility In Addition To Increased Production

At IMTS 94, Jerry Mutter, the owner of Advance Machine Works in Richmond, Virginia, was looking for a new lathe with a few specific requirements. He wanted a rugged vertical CNC lathe that could handle an increasing workload of heavy pieces. He needed a machine that he could rely upon and yet have the flexibility to handle the variety of work that passes through his shop. Mr. Mutter was attracted by the concept of two vertical machining spindles and thus purchased the Twin Merit 12 from Gomiya (Elk Grove, Illinois).

Today, Mr. Mutter is still happy with his choice of twin-spindle vertical turning. As he puts it, "I've been running the Twin Merit around the clock, turning parts from anywhere between four and 15 inches in diameter, without any downtime. What has impressed me the most is its speed of 630 ipm rapid feed and the 6/10 of a second turret index time." This speed makes the Twin Merit very desirable along with its independent high torque 30-hp main motor on each spindle and its rugged design which gives them uncompromising chip removal. By utilizing the two spindles, Mr. Mutter's company can either turn two identical or two different parts at once. Being the first twin spindle vertical lathe that they have purchased, Mr. Mutter has observed two specific advantages. "The bore finish and accuracy is greatly improved due to the chips falling away from the cut instead of recirculating in the bore." He also notes, "The easy loading of heavy parts, prevent back injury to the operator." The addition of Gomiya's Twin Merit 12 to Advance Machine Works has made a positive difference in the company's capabilities. MMS