Vertical Turning Lathes

Short travel distances and high rapid traverse speeds mean substantially reduced machining time.

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What is a vertical turning lathe?

CNC vertical turning lathes – also known as VTLs – are a specialist type of machine tool used to machine large and heavy workpiece. It is similar to a horizontal lathe, but the spindle is mounted vertically instead of horizontally. The machine bed sits above the motor, and clamped components are spun through the use of a rotary table.

CNC vertical turning lathes – also known as VTLs – are a specialist type of machine tool used to machine large and heavy workpiece.

It is similar to a horizontal lathe, but the spindle is mounted vertically instead of horizontally. The machine bed sits above the motor, and clamped components are spun through the use of a rotary table.

Unlike turret or ram head designs, VTLs combine a rotating table for the workpiece with a bridge structure carrying the X-axis and a traversing ram holding the cutting tool. This unique setup allows for faster, more aggressive machining processes, leading to improved cycle times.

This configuration and design of VTLs often make them the more efficient choice when machining larger, heavier workpieces and castings, such as parts used in the power generation and the oil & gas industries.

As the turned or bored features grow in size, it becomes less viable to rotate the cutting tool in the spindle, instead, leaving the cutting tool stationary and rotating the component around it becomes much more productive.

Several milling spindle heads are available for vertical turning centres that allow manufacturers to combine conventional turning, milling and drilling operations within a single setup, preventing unnecessary resets.

Advantages of vertical turning lathes for large part machining

  • Stability
  • Flexibility
  • Efficiency
  • Component accuracy
  • Greater control
  • Higher metal removal rates
  • Reduced floor space requirements

Vertical turning lathe machines have long been recognised for their advantages in machining large, heavy workpieces

Particularly those that are difficult and time-consuming to load, and that need as much work performed on them as possible in a single setup.

In this sense, a VTL is a multi-tasking machine that holds significant advantages when engineers are looking to perform a wide variety of operations with minimal resetting. The result is maximised machine utilisation and reduced cost-per-part.

Compared to their horizontal counterparts, they excel at handling large, heavy parts due to easier loading on a stationary table. Gravity assists clamping, reducing setup time and improving stability for heavy-duty cutting, leading to faster production, better tool life, and superior surface finishes. Additionally, chips naturally fall away during machining.

The latest vertical turning lathes also offer additional benefits with regard to clamping tall and long parts.

With the part mounted vertically, you can eliminate the gravitational droop associated with horizontal machining.

While they’re not generally used for high-volume manufacturing, VTLs are perfect when extra cutting power is needed to complete a component. They typically come equipped with high-torque spindles that can easily remove significant material.

Vertical turning lathe components

In contrast to gantry machines, the cutting loads in a VTL process are completely different, which must be reflected in the design of the VTL machine structure. On a gantry machine, the cutting forces are applied along the axis of motion as the cutting tool passes through the component. Whereas a VTL spins the component with significant mass, past a static cutting tool, creating torsional twisting forces on the VTL structure. The structure of a VTL must be configured differently to counter the twisting forces of the turning operations.

Key features of a vertical turning lathe:

Vertical spindle
The spindle is mounted vertically, which allows the machine to machine heavy equipment for general industry, aerospace and energy sectors. This configuration allows you to access both the inside and outside of a component, which is essential for cylindrical components with internal and external features.
Automatic tool changing
High-quality vertical turning lathes can move between tools with an automatic tool changer. This results in boosted productivity and less operator intervention.
Ram
The ram moves the cutting tool along the X-axis, and optional Y-axis, to the desired location. Twin ram machines can enable higher productivity.
Rotary table
The rotary table rotates the workpiece, allowing the machine to work from a number of angles.
Pallet changers
Allows for quick resets and offline setups.

Vertical turning processes

Vertical turning machines can perform several key manufacturing processes, typically for heat and corrosion-resistant superalloys:

  • Turning
  • Facing 
  • Boring
  • Milling
  • Drilling
  • Reaming
  • Tapping 
  • Knurling

 

Applications of vertical turning

Vertical turning lathes are particularly well-suited for operations requiring a high degree of accuracy and precision. Here are some of the main applications of vertical turning lathes:

Machining castings and forgings
VTLs are commonly used to create castings and forgings, like brake disks and pump housings.
Large structural components
Parts requiring high strength and durability, such as gear and turbine housings, are frequently created on VTLs.
Aerospace parts
The aerospace manufacturing industry uses these machines to construct the engine rings and structural components for rockets.
Defence
Rocket componentry.
Oil, gas & energy
Vertical turning lathes are used to machine oil and gas equipment, such as pressure vessels, valves, flanges, and pipe fittings. Nuclear reactors also provide common applications.

Kingsbury: Your Partner for More Than Just Machines

Our vertical lathes have a wide range of configuration options that allow them to adapt precisely to your requirements, ensuring that your cost-per-part is minimised.

But: Kingsbury isn’t just a machine supplier; we’re your engineering partner. We equip your large machines with the wider process improvements they need to perform, last, and deliver results, all while uncovering the hidden potential for growth.

Trusted by leading manufacturers, we go beyond what others offer, providing unmatched performance and expertise to fuel your success. Choose Kingsbury and experience engineering excellence with our Large Parts Machining team. With us, it’s not just a purchase; it’s a partnership for long-term success.