The new Giddings & Lewis V series from Fives Machining Systems is a versatile line of vertical turning centres for shops looking for a multi-purpose lathe capable of handling a range of parts such as pumps, valves, gears, bearings, compressors, wheel hubs, and jet engine housings.
All six models, with table sizes ranging from 800 mm to 2500 mm, have a hydrostatic ram that adds rigidity for heavy cutting and produce less friction for improved part finish. The hydrostatic wear-free guides require less maintenance. The infinitely adjustable cross rail is a programmable positioning axis able to handle a wide range of parts and minimize ram extension. Dual scale feedback delivers precision and ensures parallelism while the hydraulic cylinder elevation adds secure 1000 kN (225,000 lb) of mechanical clamping force per side. The company says no other vertical turning centre offers these high-value features standard.
“The V Series is engineered to be flexible, reliable and affordable in response to feedback from our job shop customers,” says Brad Nelson, V Series product manager at Fives Giddings & Lewis. “All models have a compact footprint, and there is no requirement for special foundations, so the machine can be easily relocated, if necessary.”
He adds that the Giddings & Lewis VLock tooling system provides a stiff interface for modular tooling adaptors, long cutting tools and the optional heavy-duty right angle milling attachment. Modular turning tools more than double the taper stiffness at loads up to 1800 Nm. Standard modular tools offer significant savings over the proprietary vertical lathe tooling offered on most vertical lathes. “Modular tools are also lighter, easier and safer to handle, requiring less time to maintain.
Through-the-tool coolant and 8 bar (116 psi) flood coolant is standard, as is a 12-position tool storage disk. Options include 70-bar (1015-psi) high-pressure coolant and an 18-tool storage disk. Other options include tool and part probes to increase utilization and ensure part quality, and enclosures from standard to fully enclosed.
The V Series is designed and built at the Fives Giddings & Lewis plant in Fond du Lac, WI and and is built with solid cast iron base construction and versatility offered by optional live spindle attachments and a C-axis table.
