Multi-Purpose Vertical Turning Centers

The new Giddings & Lewis V Series from Fives Metal Cutting (Fond du Lac, WI) is a versatile line of vertical turning centers for shops looking for a dependable, multi-purpose lathe capable of handling a wide range of parts, including pumps, valves, gears, bearings, compressors, wheel hubs, jet engine housings and more. With high metal removal rates and high precision, the 800 mm to 2,500 mm (31.5 in to 98.4 in) V Series lathes offer unmatched standard features and superior value.

The company recently introduced the new product line to more than 60 representatives and regional managers from across the country during a two-day training session. “I think G&L has a real winner here,” said Bob Jurack, the general manager of Concept Machine Tool (Delafield, WI) and a Fives Giddings & Lewis Midwest representative. “To be able to offer a Giddings & Lewis quality machine tool, built in the U.S., at an affordable price should appeal to a lot of job shops.” A V 1250 will be on display in the Concept booth at the upcoming Wisconsin Manufacturing and Technology show on October 6-8 at State Fair Park in West Allis, WI.

“We’re excited about this new line and with the strong support of our parent company, Fives, expect to see more new products and innovations in the near future,” said Kevin Lichtenberg, the vice president and general manager of Fives Giddings & Lewis. Fives designs and supplies machine tool and complete manufacturing solutions in a broad range of industrial sectors.

All six models, with table sizes ranging from 800 mm to 2,500 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 1,000 kN (225,000 lb) of mechanical clamping force per side. No other vertical turning center offers these high-value features standard.

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 and stays true to Giddings & Lewis design traditions, with solid cast iron base construction and versatility offered by optional live spindle attachments and a C-axis table. By adding the V Series, starting with 800 mm tables, to their existing VTC Series of vertical turning centers, with swings up to 9 m, Fives is positioned to offer manufacturers the broadest and best range of turning solutions.

With a strong foundation based upon renowned legacy names such as Cincinnati, Giddings & Lewis, Forest-Liné, Liné Machines and Rouchaud, Fives is recognized as the preeminent provider of outstanding manufacturing solutions which are at the heart of its customers’ performance. Fives Metal Cutting | Composites dedicated teams – approximately 1,200 people in over 15 countries – serve key industrial markets including aerospace, automotive and truck, heavy equipment, oil and gas, rail, wind, energy and general machining.

With manufacturing and support operations strategically located worldwide, the company and its Metal Cutting & Composites businesses offer comprehensive lines of equipment and technologies, including automated assembly, laser welding and cutting, turning, milling, composites processing and software with the associated support services (maintenance, spare parts, retrofit, overhauling and upgrading).

This industrial engineering group has a heritage of over 200 years of engineering excellence and expertise, designing and supplying machines, process equipment and production lines for the world’s largest industrial groups in various sectors such as aluminum, steel, glass, automotive, logistics, aerospace, cement and energy, in both developing and developed countries. In 2014, Fives achieved a turnover of 1.6 million euros and employed close to 8,000 people in about 30 countries.

Fives Giddings & Lewis, 142 Doty Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, 920-921-9400, fivesgroup.com.