C&R Manufacturing, Shawnee, Kansas, continues to invest in new technology and automation. They have installed a new Okuma LB3000EXII MYW live tool lathe.

The new lathe offers high-quality machining for a variety of part sizes.  The machine’s features include live tooling, a sub-spindle, and a Y-axis, which will increase automation and quality in the shop. It is essentially two lathes in one, allowing machining on the backside of the part with no human handling required. Along with the live tooling with Y-axis, this allows the machine to produce a complete part in 1 cycle. Additional features to improve productivity include a parts catcher and bar feeder.

The two spindles increase precision and accuracy by maintaining position of the part rather than doing a manual transfer between operations. 

Advances in technology in mill-turn and other multi-tasking machine tools are allowing machine shops to more easily machine complex parts and do so cost-effectively.