Vertical turning lathes are designed to meet European customers' needs for cost-effective chuck machining, particularly for small-and medium-sized series as well as volume production.

The latest addition to the range of high-performance, multi-axis CNC lathes produced by Italy's leading manufacturer - the BV Machines - is a series of vertical lathes complete with integrated automation. The BV Series has been designed to meet European customers' requirements for cost-effective chuck machining, particularly for small-and medium-sized series, but also suitable for mass production. The moving vertical spindle performs both machining and automatic loading/unloading of parts.

Short travels, combined with high rapid traverse drastically reduce idle times.

The easy access to the work area allows the operator to perform quick and convenient tooling-up operations.

The BV vertical lathes comprising ASA 6in (BV160) or ASA 8in (BV180) spindles can be equipped with driven tools, C- axis and Y-axis to carry out complete machining of complex parts.

Biglia's robust build (the machines weigh in excess of 5 tonnes) and long-term reliability, together with a specification which compares favourably with competitive machines - for example 48m/min.

rapid traverse, 18kW motor and 318Nm max.

torque, 150mm Y-Axis travel - combine to make these new machines a natural choice for progressive sub-contractors and tier-one suppliers alike.

Launched at the recent Open House at their Biglia's production facility in Northern Italy, the new machines will be formally introduced at the forthcoming EMO exhibition - judging by the initial response of UK customers who visited the Open House though, the first examples will be ordered and installed long before the Milan show.