Take on production challenges with CNC Lathe Machining in Durham, NC, designed for precision, consistency, and real-world workflow efficiency. Roberson Machine Company helps reduce downtime, scrap, and tooling bottlenecks by building processes that repeat cleanly at scale. Contact us online or call 573-646-3996 to learn more about Durham, NC, CNC lathe machining and coordinate your next release.
Learn more about:
- How CNC lathes contribute to production-ready components
- How turning and multi-axis machining operate within a single workflow
- Our Doosan Puma TT1800SY multi-turret, multi-spindle turning setup
- Industries and applications that use turned features at scale
- Examples of real components produced for volume runs
- How to open a CNC turning or multi-axis machining project with our team
Roberson Machine Company provides the machining technology, process expertise, and production capacity needed to support long-term runs with predictable quality and stable unit cost.
Table of Contents
- The Importance of Lathe Machining in the CNC Production Process
- CNC Lathe Operations & Multi-Axis Machining
- Industries & Applications Supported by CNC Lathe Machining in Durham, NC
- Doosan Puma TT1800SY: Multi-Turret, Multi-Spindle Lathe for High-Throughput Production
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why Us for CNC Lathe Machining in Durham, NC?
Explore our reviews, recent case studies, the blog, and FAQs for real machining examples and production insight. For over two decades, we’ve supported companies with Durham, NC, CNC lathe machining and multi-axis machining that turn drawings into consistent, production-ready components.
The Importance of Lathe Machining in the CNC Production Process
CNC machining drives today’s manufacturing, and CNC lathes anchor the process by producing rotational components with consistent geometry and controlled surfaces. Once tools, offsets, feeds, and inspection steps are dialed in, CNC turning maintains the diameters, bores, threads, and sealing surfaces needed for downstream CNC milling and assembly.
Modern CNC lathes equipped with bar feeding, live tooling, and multi-spindle layouts can cut, drill, tap, and finish in a single setup—reducing handoffs, minimizing variation, and keeping production on schedule.
Durham, NC, CNC Lathe Operations & Multi-Axis Machining
Turning and milling work together in multi-axis machining. The lathe sets core geometry—accurate diameters, concentric relationships, and functional surfaces—while milling adds pockets, flats, slots, and 3D features you can’t achieve on a spindle-driven machine alone. This workflow keeps features aligned, reduces secondary setups, and helps cut manufacturing downtime.
We run CNC cut metals, alloys, stainless steels, aluminum, titanium, and production-grade polymers. Horizontal turning centers paired with bar feeders, live tooling, and multi-axis capability let us finish many parts in one setup and maintain accuracy from first article to final release.
- Hard turning: Dialed-in tool paths for hardened steels and finishing passes.
- Long turning capacity: Up to 48″ of horizontal turning capacity depending on design.
- Live-tool capability: Drilling, tapping, and milling handled in a single setup.
- Short, predictable lead times: Stable cycles and automation keep production on schedule.
In Durham, NC, CNC lathe machining remains among the most versatile CNC machining methods for applications demanding accuracy, concentricity, and production efficiency.
Industries & Applications Supported by Durham, NC, CNC Lathe Machining
CNC lathe machining plays a central role in production across medical, aerospace, automation, and high-throughput industrial environments. The industries below rely on accurate diameters, bores, threads, and stable concentric features—along with examples of the components we’ve produced at volume.
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Production: Precision valve bodies, microscope components, acrylic instrument parts, as well as other small-scale turned assemblies.
- Industrial Automation & Robotics: Cylindrical tooling, bushings, guides, and end-of-arm tooling crafted for predictable repeatability.
- Aerospace: Housings, couplings, sleeves, and other concentric components that demand stable finishes and verified geometry.
- Military & Defense: Threaded hardware, sleeves, connectors, and precision-machined rotary components for mission-critical applications.
- Automotive & EV: Shafts, pins, bushings, and drive shaft components produced in volume with consistent dimensional control.
- Food & Beverage: Stainless rollers, spindle components, and sanitary turned parts designed for washdown environments.
- Packaging & Production Lines: Ink rollers, guide shafts, and other cylindrical tooling used in steady, high-throughput production environments.
- Energy & Power Generation: Valve components, manifolds, and turned parts manufactured to withstand pressure, wear, and extended service cycles.
In every industry we serve in Durham, NC, CNC lathe machining preserves dimensional relationships, surface quality, and stable unit cost from run to run. If you’re launching a new release or scaling a current run, our team can review your drawings, map the process, and outline a workable production plan. Learn more about our team, connect online, or call 573-646-3996 to talk through your project.
Doosan Puma TT1800SY: Multi-Turret, Multi-Spindle Lathe for High-Throughput Production
To boost turning capacity, Roberson Machine Company now operates the Doosan Puma TT1800SY — a multi-turret, multi-spindle turning center engineered for speed and precision. It integrates roughing, finishing, drilling, tapping, and milling into a single cycle to keep features aligned and cut unnecessary handling.
Main–sub spindle transfer, parallel cutting, and bar-fed workflows make it a strong match for two-sided or multi-op parts that must maintain accurate relationships from operation to operation. Its layout supports high-throughput workloads with stable, predictable cycle times.
Key Specifications & Capabilities
This spec set covers the TT1800SY features that impact real production workflows: spindle speed and torque, bar capacity, travel envelopes, and the live-tooling and handoff systems that reduce setup count and stabilize cycle times.
TT1800SY Technical Overview
| Category | Specification | Value | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Swing Over Bed | 9.1″ | Envelope for small to mid-sized turned components. |
| Recommended Turning Diameter | 8.3″ | Sweet spot for production work on this platform. | |
| Max. Turning Diameter (Upper / Lower) | 9.1″ / 9.1″ | Handles symmetrical turning on both turrets. | |
| Bar Working Diameter | 2.6″ | Supports steady bar-fed production for many shaft-style parts. | |
| Axis Travels | X-Axis Rapid Traverse | 787 IPM | Reduces non-cutting time between features. |
| Z-Axis Rapid Traverse | 1,575 IPM | Keeps cycle times down on longer parts. | |
| X1 / X2 Travel | 6.5″ / 7.5″ | Room for twin-turret work on complex parts. | |
| Y-Axis Travel | 3.9″ | Enables off-center milling and drilling operations. | |
| Z1 / Z2 / A Travel | 27.6″ / 28.4″ / 30.3″ | Supports front- and back-working on longer components. | |
| Spindles | Main Spindle Speed | 5,000 RPM | Good balance of metal removal and finish capability. |
| Main Spindle Power / Torque | 29 HP · 154 ft-lbs | Supports heavy cuts while maintaining surface quality. | |
| Sub Spindle | 5,000 RPM · 29 HP | Full-power back-working and accurate part handoff. | |
| Turret & Live Tooling | Tool Stations | 12 stations per turret | Plenty of room for turning, drilling, and milling tools. |
| Turret Index Time | 0.15 sec | Fast indexing keeps chips flowing. | |
| Max Rotary Tool Speed | 5,000 RPM (7.5 / 1.5 HP motor) | Handles most drilling, tapping, and light milling work at the spindle. | |
| Footprint | L × W × H | 154″ × 89″ × 82″ | Compact floor space for a full twin-spindle, twin-turret lathe. |
| Machine Weight | ≈ 19,400 lbs | Mass and rigidity for stable cutting and better finishes. |
This configuration supports one-and-done machining for small to mid-sized components—maintaining concentricity, clean shoulder transitions, sealing surfaces, and multi-op geometry across every production run.
What the Puma TT1800SY Unlocks for Durham, NC, CNC Lathe Machining & Production
In applied machining, the TT1800SY elevates production by sharpening geometric control and removing setup transitions that tend to add cost and variation. Key advantages include:
- Shorter part flow: Consolidates multiple setups into one uninterrupted cycle.
- Cleaner feature relationships: Maintains diameters, bores, and milled geometry on a unified centerline.
- Better performance on two-sided parts: Accurate spindle handoff cuts variation on mirrored and back-worked features.
- Fewer fixtures and handling steps: Limits stack-up error and reduces potential for dimensional drift.
- More predictable scheduling: Steady cycle times improve release forecasting and tooling-life planning.
- Efficient volume scaling: Bar-fed throughput and balanced cutting support consistent output during long runs.
Whether you’re producing shafts, bushings, housings, sleeves, couplings, or multi-op turned/milled components, the Puma TT1800SY enables fast transitions from prototype to production with consistent, repeatable output, positioning it as a cornerstone of Durham, NC, CNC lathe machining.
Want to validate a part on the new system? Reach out online or call 573-646-3996 to learn how the Puma TT1800SY can strengthen your workflow and help reduce production delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
When planning CNC lathe workflows, the main questions tend to center on part fit, lead time, and how turning connects with the rest of your build. These FAQs outline the points that matter when shifting from prototypes or single runs to production-grade CNC lathe machining in Durham, NC.
What types of parts are a good fit for CNC lathe machining in Durham, NC?
CNC lathes excel at rotationally symmetric parts and components where diameters and concentricity matter. Typical candidates include:
- Shafts, pins, and bushings
- Housings, sleeves, and couplings
- Valve bodies and manifolds with critical sealing surfaces
- Rollers and cylindrical tooling for automation and packaging
- Turned parts that also need milled flats, slots, or drilled features
When volume production depends on tight diameters, shoulders, and threads, CNC lathe machining becomes the core of the manufacturing approach.
How does a multi-turret, multi-spindle lathe change production compared to a standard lathe?
Multi-turret, multi-spindle systems allow much more work to be done in a single cycle without relying on several machines and setups. That means:
- Front- and back-working (two-sided parts) completed in one continuous process
- Roughing and finishing handled in parallel rather than in separate runs
- Fewer fixtures and handling steps, which lowers stack-up error
- More stable cycle times as volumes increase
For turned components that often need multiple setups and handoffs, the Puma TT1800SY reduces it all to a single, uninterrupted workflow.
What do you need to quote a CNC lathe machining project?
Clear engineering intent helps generate accurate quotes and smooth production flow. Helpful inputs include:
- Current drawings with tolerances and any critical feature callouts
- Material and finish requirements
- Target quantities (per release and annual volume)
- Expected delivery cadence or release schedule
- Any inspection, documentation, or packaging requirements
If details are still developing, we can start from provisional prints and help tighten the package before locking in production pricing.
What tends to drive cost on CNC lathe machined parts in Durham, NC?
Piece price for turned parts often ties back to setup effort, cycle time, and material. Common cost drivers include:
- Complex workholding or multiple setups that could be consolidated
- Very tight tolerances or surface finish requirements on multiple features
- Challenging materials (hard alloys, difficult chip control, or long overhangs)
- Heavy interruption from milling, cross-holes, or deep drilling operations
- Small lot sizes that repeat tooling and setup time too often
Early discussions about tolerances, material, and functional requirements often reveal ways to keep cost and lead time in a manageable range.
How do you maintain repeatability across large lots and repeat releases?
Repeatability relies on locking down the process as a whole, not just the first run. Typical controls include:
- Standardized fixturing and workholding for the entire workflow
- Documented tool lists, offsets, and tool life management
- In-process checks on critical diameters, bores, and threads
- Final inspection routines tied to print requirements
- Lot records that tie parts, dates, and inspection data together
After a lathe process proves out, those controls hold consistency from the first article through each subsequent release.
When should Durham, NC, CNC lathe work be combined with milling or other processes?
Many components run best when turning sets the core geometry while other processes add the remaining features. That often looks like:
- Lathe operations setting diameters, shoulders, and critical bores
- Live-tool work or downstream milling adding flats, keyways, pockets, or patterns
- Secondary processes (EDM, grinding, or honing) reserved for features that truly need them
Discussing the full print and functional requirements up front makes it easier to determine what should stay on the lathe and what belongs in another process.
Why Choose Us for Durham, NC, CNC Lathe Machining?
Roberson Machine Company delivers the process control, equipment, and production experience required for reliable, repeatable CNC lathe machining in Durham, NC. We support long-term production schedules with stable workflows and tooling strategies that keep releases on schedule.
- Turning processes developed to hold the diameters, bores, threads, and sealing features required by your assemblies
- Fast machining in one setup with bar feeding, live tooling, and multi-spindle capability
- Dimensional consistency held from first article through subsequent releases
- Material flexibility that includes stainless, aluminum, alloys, titanium, and production-grade polymers
- Workflows engineered to reduce scrap, tooling delays, and downstream variation for predictable scheduling
Our main services include:
- Custom CNC Machining for Part Production
- CNC Machine Automation
- Oil and Gas Precision Machining
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- Automotive Part Manufacturing
- EDM Machining
- High Volume CNC Machining
- Industrial Automation
- Solar Panel Manufacturers
Roberson Machine Company supports projects of all sizes—from new releases to scaled production and ongoing CNC lathe machining workflows. Review our team and capabilities, request a quote online, or call 573-646-3996 to explore the benefits and opportunities available with Durham, NC, CNC Lathe Machining.