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This section provides an overview for general purpose lathes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 14 general purpose lathe manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked general purpose lathe companies as of February, 2025: 1.Hurco, 2.DMG MORI CO., LTD., 3.Milltronics.
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Categories Related to General Purpose Lathes
A lathe is a type of machine tool for metalworking. The workpiece is fixed to a rotating base called a chuck, and a cutting tool called a bite is applied to the workpiece to cut it into the desired shape.
There are various types of lathes, but they are classified into general-purpose lathes, where the machining is done by hand, and NC lathes, where the machining is done automatically by numerical control programs.
General purpose lathes, also called ordinary lathe, is the most basic lathe, consisting of a spindle head, bed, tailstock, feeder, and reciprocating table.
Lathes are used for processing cylindrical and conical shapes using cylindrical or bar materials, boring, and threading.
In factories and other manufacturing sites, NC lathes equipped with NC (numerical control) numerical control devices are the most common type of lathe. This is because NC lathes are suitable for mass production as they perform machining based on coordinates set according to a program.
However, NC lathes cannot handle changes or additional machining during operation. However, general-purpose lathes are used for prototypes and custom-made products that require individual adjustments during machining.
General-purpose lathes are also suitable for small lot production because they do not require the creation of a program for machining.
The cutting process using a general-purpose lathe is as follows.
First, appropriate cutting tools (bites) are selected according to the size, material, shape, and processing details of the workpiece, and processing conditions such as spindle speed are determined.
Next, the workpiece is fixed in the chuck. The tool is fixed to the tool rest on the reciprocating table by adjusting the tool so that the height of the cutting edge matches the center height.
After shaving the end face of the workpiece to make it flat (face grinding), the center drill is set on the tailstock and brought close to the workpiece. The drill is then set in the center of the workpiece (centering). After setting the machining standard, lathing is performed according to the drawing.
A general-purpose lathe does not need to create a machining program as NC Lathe does, allowing for work to start immediately. General-purpose lathes offer the advantage of allowing modifications and additions to be made during the machining operation. This means that mistakes can be promptly corrected, and since the machining is manual, any wear or defects in the tooling can be readily identified and addressed.
On the other hand, a general-purpose lathe requires a high level of skill because it is processed by hand, and the speed and accuracy of processing varies depending on the skill level of the operator. In addition, since everything from setting the workpiece and byte to lathe machining is done by hand, work efficiency is low, and the lathe is not suited for mass production.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Hurco, established in 1968 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, is a manufacturer of advanced computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools. The company’s main products encompass a diverse range of vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, and mill-turn solutions, catering to precision machining in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical. Hurco empowers manufacturers with modern CNC technology and software, enhancing production efficiency and accuracy. As a manufacturer, they play a pivotal role in shaping modern manufacturing processes and contributing to the global industrial landscape with their quality machining solutions.
Milltronics Manufacturing Company Inc., founded in 1973 and currently a subsidiary of Hurco Companies Inc., is an American manufacturer and supplier based in Indianapolis, Indiana, developing computer numerical control (CNC) machines and control systems. Since its establishment, the company has been manufacturing CNC machines for the metal cutting industry, offering a range of milling machines, such as vertical machining centers and tool room mills. Turning centers with various lathes, including combination and slant bed lathes, are also part of its offerings. The company's CNC control systems, specifically the 9000-DGI series, incorporate conversational programming and G&M code programming features.
DMG MORI is based in Japan since 1948 as a manufacturer of machine tools and precision machining systems. Their product portfolio includes CNC lathes, milling machines, advanced multi-axis machining centers, and additive manufacturing systems. The company caters to diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, medical, and general engineering. In the automotive industry, their machines are utilized for precision component manufacturing. Aerospace companies produce critical parts for aircraft. The energy sector utilizes its equipment for the production of components used in power generation and other systems. Additionally, medical technology companies rely on machinery for manufacturing of medical devices and implants.
Takamatsu Machinery USA, Inc., established in 1961 and located in Illinois, United States, is a Manufacturer of CNC precision lathes. Their range of products includes CNC machining centers, milling machines, turning centers, grinding machines, and custom-engineered machinery. These solutions cater to industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, and general manufacturing. These products applications include precision machining, mass manufacturing, grinding operations, and customized machinery for industries. These custom solutions leverage Takamatsu Machinery USA's engineering expertise, ensuring optimal performance, productivity, and cost-effectiveness for specialized manufacturing processes.
Shun Chuan Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. was established in 1994 and is based in Yuanli Township, Taiwan as a manufacturer of metalworking machinery. The company’s product portfolio includes conventional lathes, CNC lathes, and other precision lathes, among others. The lathes and accessories offered by the company are essential components in metal processing, enabling accurate and efficient machining. The products are used in various industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and mining. It is suitable for multiple purposes, from manual operation to computerized control.
KNUTH Machine Tools USA is the American subsidiary of Knuth, originally founded in 1928. The American subsidiary is headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois. The company is a manufacturer of industrial machinery and accessories. The company has an extensive product listing including lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, drilling machines, as well as several others. The company’s accessories include consumables for EDM and cutting machines, machining tools, and machine accessories. The company also offers start-up services, maintenance services, repair, and spare parts services.
Takisawa Machine Tool Co., Ltd, a company founded in 1922 and headquartered in Okayama, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of machine tools and related equipment. The company's product portfolio includes CNC lathes, multi-tasking machines, piston machines, vertical machining centers, and software. These products have applications in various industries, including medical device manufacturing, the energy industry, consumer electronics, metalworking and fabrication, and heavy equipment manufacturing. The company is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, with offices in Europe, the USA, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, establishing a global network.
ZMM Bulgaria Holding, a subsidiary of Industrial Holding Bulgaria AD, established in 2001 and headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria, is a manufacturer and supplier of machine tools. The company's product portfolio includes CNC, universal, cycle, oil country lathes, and lathes with variable speed as well as spare parts with accessories. It offers lathes with standard metrics, inches, modules, and diametrical pitch threads and with distance between centers of between 500 mm and 10,000mm and center height between 165mm and 705mm.
Ranking as of February 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hurco |
28.2%
|
| 2 | DMG MORI CO., LTD. |
10.4%
|
| 3 | Milltronics |
9.8%
|
| 4 | KNUTH Machine Tools USA, Inc |
9.0%
|
| 5 | Takisawa Machine Tool Co., Ltd |
7.3%
|
| 6 | Takamatsu Machinery USA, Inc. |
6.5%
|
| 7 | Shun Chuan Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. |
5.8%
|
| 8 | CMZ UK Ltd |
5.2%
|
| 9 | Chongqing Tony Industrail Co., Ltd |
4.2%
|
| 10 | ZMM Bulgaria Holding |
4.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the general purpose lathe page as of February 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Taiwan
|
4 | 33.3% |
|
Japan
|
3 | 25.0% |
|
United States of America
|
2 | 16.7% |
|
Bulgaria
|
1 | 8.3% |
China
|
1 | 8.3% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 8.3% |
45 products found - Page 1
45 products - Page 1
Cosmo Kikai Co., Ltd.
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Bell Blue Co., Ltd.
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Cosmo Kikai Co., Ltd.
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Sakai Machine Tools Co., Ltd.
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■Highly rigid, authentic V-shaped bed The bed, which is the basis of the lathe, is a full-fledged V-shaped bed with rationally arranged T-shaped ri...
Suzu Seiki Co., Ltd.
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General-purpose lathe + machining center + polishing Material: SUS316L Shape manufactured using a 5-axis processing machine. We can handle 3-axis...
Cosmo Kikai Co., Ltd.
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■Features ・Automatic horizontal feed device (left/right) and automatic vertical feed device (front/rear) are standard equipment. -The main shaft i...
Kotobuki Trading Co., Ltd./Mechanics Co., Ltd.
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Sakai Machine Tools Co., Ltd.
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Introducing the lever type collet type of "ML-360". Ideal for processing small quantities of small parts, secondary processing, prototype parts, et...
Kotobuki Trading Co., Ltd./Mechanics Co., Ltd.
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Kotobuki Trading Co., Ltd./Mechanics Co., Ltd.
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Sakai Machine Tools Co., Ltd.
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We will release a small CNC lathe by combining technologies such as small precision lathes, milling machines, and cutting machines. Please use it n...
Cosmo Kikai Co., Ltd.
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■Features -Low-priced tabletop lathe. ・With safety cover on scroll chuck (with limit switch) ・One-touch rotation speed switching with a knob ・Wi...
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Neez Industry
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Standard Response
The material can be processed in a round shape.
Nomura Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
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Shibaura Machine
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Standard Response
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Kyocera Corporation
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10 models listed
