CNC Lathes
Turning centres, swiss-type lathes, bar feeders, sub-spindles, and live tooling — everything you need to buy, set up, and run CNC turning equipment efficiently.
CNC Turning: Key Concepts
A CNC lathe holds the workpiece in a rotating spindle (or between centres) while stationary or live tooling removes material. The control moves cutting tools along X (radial) and Z (axial) axes — with optional Y-axis and C-axis for milling and drilling operations without re-chucking.
Turning centre configurations range from a simple 2-axis slant-bed lathe to a full multi-tasking machine with dual turrets, sub-spindle, B-axis milling head, and gantry loader. Swiss-type lathes add a guide bushing directly behind the cutting zone, enabling extremely slender work (up to 50:1 L/D) at high accuracy — the preferred platform for medical and watch-industry turning.
Productivity levers: bar feeder vs bar puller selection, sub-spindle utilisation, and cutting-speed optimisation for the material determine the difference between a 45-second cycle and a 90-second cycle on the same part.
CNC Lathe Guides
Machine Selection
Swiss Lathe vs CNC Lathe: Which Do You Need?
Guide bushing vs collet-only, part length limits, gang tooling, and the bar stock cost premium — decide which platform fits your part mix.
Read guideAutomation
Bar Feeder vs Bar Puller: Pros, Cons & ROI
When a 12-foot magazine bar feeder makes sense versus a simpler bar puller — including cycle time, footprint, and remnant waste calculations.
Read guideCNC Lathe Types Compared
| Type | Bar Capacity | Best For | Key Feature | Price (new) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Axis Turning | 25–100 mm | Simple OD/ID parts | Slant-bed rigidity | $30k–$80k |
| Turning + Live Tools | 25–100 mm | Milled features, off-centre holes | C-axis + Y-axis | $60k–$150k |
| Sub-Spindle Lathe | 25–65 mm | Complete parts, bar fed | Parts-complete in one op | $100k–$250k |
| Swiss-Type (sliding head) | 3–32 mm | Long slender parts, medical | Guide bushing ≤0.003 mm | $80k–$300k |
| Multi-Tasking (MTM) | 25–100 mm | Complex parts, mill-turn | Dual turret + B-axis | $300k–$800k |
Featured CNC Lathes
Representative machines across turning centre types. Specifications are indicative; verify with manufacturers before purchasing.
ST-10
Compact Turning Center
- Swing: 330 mm over cross-slide
- Bar capacity: 45 mm (1.75 in)
- Spindle: 11 kW, 6,000 RPM
- 12-station turret, live-tool ready
Quick Turn 250
Production Turning Center
- Max turning dia: 370 mm
- Bar capacity: 65 mm
- Spindle: 18.5 kW, 4,500 RPM
- Optional Y-axis + sub-spindle
Cincom L20
Swiss-Type Sliding Head
- Bar capacity: 20 mm max
- Guide bushing: 0.003 mm accuracy
- Tools: up to 40 (incl. live tools)
- Best for: medical, watchmaking, precision
Puma 2600
Mid-Size Turning Center
- Max turning dia: 460 mm
- Bar capacity: 76 mm
- Spindle: 22 kW, 3,500 RPM
- 12-station BOT turret
NLX 2500
Multi-Task Turning Center
- Max turning dia: 366 mm
- Bar capacity: 65 mm
- Y-axis ±52.5 mm, B-axis ±30°
- Optional sub-spindle + gantry
WT-300
Dual-Spindle Turning Center
- Dual opposing spindles
- Bar capacity: 65 mm
- Upper + lower turret
- Complete parts in one clamping