Bearings, Custom machining

With our recent purchase of six new Samsung CNC turning lathes with live tooling, Bunting Bearings is better equipped than ever to meet our customers’ needs. Two of these new additions were installed into a manual cell, while three were installed into a fully robotized cell, so they can be applied towards both low- and high-volume projects.

The sixth and largest machine of the group is the Samsung SL65/3200. It was installed to be used in conjunction with a VTL machine. We are excited about our new machining capabilities and what it means for our customers. Here is an overview of what CNC turning lathes do and the opportunities that our new equipment has created for our customers.

What Is a Live Tooling CNC Lathe?

A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) turning lathe is an automated tool that produces high-quality parts on a reliable, consistent basis. In a CNC lathe, the part itself spins while single-point cutters move across the part to create the desired shape, smoothness, and design; appropriate positioning of the part is provided by the main spindle’s ability to index precisely.

A programmer can design the part manually, or the part can be designed via computer-aided design (CAD) programs. From there, the computer directs the tool to make the appropriate cuts. After the design is perfected—which may require testing and adjustments to solidify the design—and production has begun, there is little need for constant supervision. The CNC lathe is highly precise and will continue making identical parts until all are complete. It can then be reprogrammed for a new part’s production. CAD parts can be saved and easily reapplied if a customer places another order for the same part in the future.

Our new live tooling CNC turning lathes give us a variety of options and functions with one simple set-up. When the part is stopped from spinning, driven tools (axial or radial) are able to create grooves and holes around the entire part as required. Without live tooling, we would have to remove the piece and go through additional steps to create grooves or holes, which adds on time, labor, and risks of error. Those live tooling capabilities within the CNC lathe are a major boost to productivity and accuracy.

What This Means for Our Customers

These new live tooling lathes are a worthwhile investment for Bunting Bearings, and a logical step in our growth process. We are now able to offer competitive pricing while producing parts with even greater precision. With fewer set-ups and less manual supervision, we can accomplish more in less time; our increased productivity means faster turnaround times and cost savings for you. With the two machines in the manual cell, we can maintain those quick turnarounds even on low volume runs.

As for the SL65, here are some of its specs, for insights to what it is capable of:

  • 24” chuck
  • 6” maximum swing
  • 126” maximum turning length
  • 5” diameter bar feed capacity
  • 12-station heavy duty turret

It also allows us to produce parts with live tooling ranging from diameters of 3/8” to 10.” We are glad to speak with you about any special needs or custom orders you have in mind.

Since our humble beginnings as Bunting Brass & Bronze in 1907, Bunting Bearings has grown to become one of the largest producers of bronze bearings in the country. From the start, our innovations have been driven by our desire to produce the best bearings possible to serve our customers. We are always looking for new ways to increase the value we offer you, our productivity, and to further improve the quality of our products, and our six new CNC turning lathes are part of this commitment.

We proudly produce a diverse range of bearings, including custom products, to suit your needs. To learn more about our new CNC turning lathes or our capabilities and services, contact us today.


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