01
Bar-Fed Production
Bar stock is fed automatically, machined, parted off, and the next piece begins without operator intervention. Best for high-volume runs of small-diameter parts.
CNC turning and live-tool lathes for rotational parts done right the first time.
Five turning centers with bar feed up to 3.5" diameter, live tooling, and sub-spindle capability. Shafts, fittings, connectors, and valve bodies — machined, cross-drilled, and completed on one platform without a second operation.
Why Live-Tool Turning
One machine, one setup, complete part.
Traditional turning produces a shaft. But most shafts have a cross-drilled hole, a milled flat, or a slot that can't be made on a lathe alone — those features used to require a second operation on a mill, with a second setup, a second fixture, and a second chance for position error.
Live-tool turning centers carry a driven tool holder on the turret, so the same machine that turns the OD can also mill a flat, drill a cross-hole, or tap a radial port — without unclamping the part. The part never leaves the spindle. Position error between the OD and the cross-feature drops from a stack-up of two setups to a single-spindle reference.
For parts with features on the back side, we use sub-spindle machines that transfer the part to a second spindle automatically. Same benefit, extended to the second operation. The net effect on cost and lead time is real: parts that used to take 3–4 days across two departments now come off the machine complete in a single day.
02
Live-Tool Milling
Cross-drilled holes, milled flats, radial slots, and axial ports machined on the same platform as the turning operation. No second setup.
03
Sub-Spindle Transfer
Part is transferred to a second spindle and completed on the back side. Both ends of a shaft or fitting finished in one cycle, one program, one inspection.
Our Turning Fleet
Five platforms across three capability tiers.
Each machine is configured for a specific range — small-precision bar work, mid-size general turning, and large-envelope production.
Swiss-Style Lathe
Small precision bar work
Bar capacityUp to 1.25" dia
Max length8"
Live tooling6 stations
Sub-spindleYes
Best forMedical, connectors
Multi-Spindle Turning Center
Mid-size general turning
Bar capacityUp to 2.5" dia
Max length14"
Live tooling12 stations
Sub-spindleYes
Best forFittings, valve bodies
Large-Envelope Turning
Large diameter production
Bar capacityUp to 3.5" dia
Max length20"
Live tooling12 stations
Sub-spindleOptional
Best forEnergy, industrial
Tolerance Guide
What we hold on turned features.
Standard achievable tolerances by feature type. Tighter callouts are possible on specific features — talk to us before you redesign around them.
| Feature | Standard | Tight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outside diameter (OD) | ±0.001" | ±0.0005" | Ground finish available for ±0.0002" |
| Inside diameter (ID / bore) | ±0.0005" | ±0.0003" | Boring bar or reaming |
| Length | ±0.002" | ±0.0005" | Face-touch probing improves repeatability |
| Roundness | 0.0003" | 0.0001" | Controlled by material and tool pressure |
| Concentricity (two diameters) | 0.001" | 0.0003" | Better with sub-spindle transfer |
| Thread pitch diameter | Class 2B | Class 3B | Thread milling for exotic materials |
| Surface finish (Ra) | 32 µin | 16 µin | Down to 8 µin with dedicated finishing pass |
| Perpendicularity (face to axis) | 0.001" | 0.0005" | Datum-dependent |
Common Applications
What we turn, and why it fits.
Shafts & spindles
Drive shafts, motor spindles, and rotating components with concentric bearing journals on both ends. Sub-spindle transfer ensures axial alignment within 0.0003".
Hydraulic & pneumatic fittings
JIC, SAE, and NPT fittings machined from 303, 316L, and brass. Cross-drilled ports and radial slots completed on the same platform as the body.
Valve bodies & connectors
Multi-port valve bodies in stainless and brass with tight bore tolerances. Live tooling machines the ports without a second operation.
Medical instrument components
Small-diameter stainless and titanium components for surgical instruments and diagnostics. Swiss-style lathe work with burr-free edges and full traceability.
Aerospace bushings & sleeves
Precision bushings, sleeves, and spacer rings in 17-4 PH, 15-5 PH, and bronze. Bore and OD concentricity held within 0.0003".
Downhole tooling
Inconel and duplex stainless components for oil and gas with NACE compliance. Thread whirling for exotic alloy threads that would be difficult to tap.
Finishing
Common turned-part finishes.
Passivation
ASTM A967 for stainless parts. Removes free iron from machined surfaces to maximize corrosion resistance.
Zinc & Black Oxide
Common on carbon steel shafts and hardware. Coordinated through vetted US partners with full documentation.
Anodize
Type II and Type III for aluminum components. Clear, black, or custom colors per MIL-A-8625.
Bead Blast
Uniform matte finish for cosmetic or grip surfaces. Also used for deburring small turned components.
Common Questions
Turning services, answered.
Our Swiss-style lathe handles bar stock down to 0.040" diameter. Below that, small-diameter parts become fragile and require special handling, but we can discuss feasibility on a case-by-case basis. Medical and instrument components in the 0.050"–0.250" range are routine work.
Yes. On sub-spindle machines, the part is transferred automatically from the main spindle to the sub-spindle and finished on the back side without manual intervention. This preserves concentricity between features on both ends because the part is never released from a spindle reference. Typical achievable concentricity across the part is 0.0003".
Yes, but with caveats. Inconel and titanium are difficult to turn because of work hardening and heat generation. We use carbide inserts designed for heat-resistant alloys, high-pressure coolant, and slower surface speeds. Cycle times are 3–6× longer than for stainless, and tooling cost per part is higher. For parts that need both accuracy and exotic materials, we'll give you a realistic lead time and price up front rather than a low estimate that turns into a problem later. See our materials page for the grades we routinely run.
On a Swiss-style lathe, the bar stock is fed through a guide bushing and the tooling moves along the bar as it advances, rather than the part moving across stationary tools. This means the work is always supported right at the point of cut, which allows very small diameters to be turned without deflection. Swiss turning is the right platform for parts under 1.25" diameter with high length-to-diameter ratios. For larger parts, standard turning centers are more economical.
Every turned part is deburred as part of the base process. For most parts, we use in-cycle deburring with a chamfer tool. For parts with complex internal features, we use abrasive flow deburring or manual deburring by a trained machinist. For medical and food-processing parts where burr-free edges are critical, we follow the process with a documented inspection under magnification.
2–5 business days for most turned parts in standard materials. Exotic alloys or parts requiring secondary operations like passivation push it toward the longer end. Volume orders with material in stock can often be turned around in 48 hours on a rush basis, subject to shop capacity. Check our pricing page for rates and discount tiers, or call the shop directly.
Have a shaft or fitting to turn?
Send drawings and quantities. We'll respond with a firm quote and honest lead time within one business day.