Vertical Turning Centers Perform Heavy Cutting with Less Friction

The Giddings & Lewis V series available from Fives Machining Systems is a line of vertical turning centers designed for shops that need a multi-purpose lathe capable of handling a range of parts such as pumps, valves, gears, bearings, compressors, wheel hubs, jet engine housings and more. The series features a solid cast iron base construction, optional live spindle attachments and a C-axis table.

All six models, with table sizes ranging from 800 to 2,500 mm, feature a hydrostatic ram that adds rigidity, enabling heavy cutting with less friction for improved part finish. The hydrostatic, wear-free guides require less maintenance, according to the company. The infinitely adjustable cross rail serves as a programmable positioning axis, able to handle a range of parts and to minimize ram extension. Dual-scale feedback delivers precision and ensures parallelism, while the hydraulic cylinder elevation adds a secure 1,000 kN (225,000 lbs) of mechanical clamping force per side.

The VLock tooling system provides a stiff interface for modular tooling adapters, long cutting tools, and an optional heavy-duty, right-angle milling attachment. According to the supplier, modular turning tools offer greater taper stiffness at loads ranging to 1,800 Nm. These machines provide through-tool coolant and 8-bar (116-psi) flood coolant in addition to a 12-position tool-storage disk, as well as options for high-pressure coolant and an 18-tool storage disk. Other options include tool and part probes to increase utilization and ensure part quality.