The Ganesh line of manual big-bore lathes, presented by Expand Machinery, are offered with swing capacities up to 55" and bore sizes that range from 6" up to 25", with rear chuck mounts available to support long workpieces. Geared headstocks with up to 40 HP spindles provide for efficient metal removal.
Center distances of up to 315" are available to meet the needs of longer work. A variety of features that provide enhanced production efficiency, such as two-speed quill advance and DROs, are available. These machines are also available in 2-axis and 3-axis CNC versions where their higher production capability would be advantageous.
The complete line of Ganesh manual lathes starts at toolroom sized machines and goes all the way up the big-bore machines. A full line of manual and CNC milling machines is also offered. The oilfield industry has a wide variety of uses for these machines for fluid ends, pipe threading and downhole well completion tools that often feature long length-to-diameter rations. The green energy service industry big-bore lathe uses include a wide variety of bearing blocks, hubs and gear blanks for wind turbines.
The importance of manual machine tools is still significant, and manual machines continue to have various roles to fill in the metal working industry. The manual machine hands-on approach has its advantages in some work, and that function depends on the task at hand. Small lot sizes or simple parts, especially when the CNC equipment is overloaded, is a natural fit for manual machines. Second operation for work coming off of CNC equipment can often be a way to utilize labor and machinery more efficiently by using a manual machine to finish the workpiece, even while the operator is also tending the CNC production machine. When an expensive multi-axis CNC lathe is overbooked, an inexpensive manual machine can finish the simple second operation that would be normally performed on the sub-spindle, which would increase the throughput on the CNC lathe.
"An often-overlooked manual machine opportunity is for stock preparation," said a company spokesperson. "Some of the time consuming and heat generating roughing work can be done on a manual machine so the time on the CNC can be used to complete the close tolerance and fine finish work without the tolerance robbing heat generated by the roughing out of the workpiece. This provides a double gain as both greater throughput and increased accuracy can be realized exercising this approach."
The spokesperson added, "Additionally, the educational value of using manual machine tools in developing an understanding of machine practices are well documented in the growth of an evolving machinist as they learn the fundamentals of machining. The proper use of manual machine tools teaches the problem-solving metal working skills necessary to become an efficient part maker. Using manual machines is a stepping stone that teaches the process engineering necessary to become an efficient CNC programmer/operator in the future. Manual machine tools teach the foundational components of the metalworking industry and impart the core skills necessary to transition successfully into the realm of CNC machining."
"It is not a function of which is better between manual and CNC machining, but which solution is appropriate for the job at hand and that depends on the many factors mentioned here," concluded the spokesperson.
For more information contact:
Expand Machinery LLC
20869 Plummer St.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
888-349-9166 / 818-349-9166
sales@expandmachinery.com
www.expandmachinery.com