Sliding Headstock vs Fixed head lathe - low volume / high mix 0.5"-2" diameter Alum
Seeking feedback / recommendation on moving from fixed headstock lathes with live tooling over to sliding head-stock machines. We make tons of family type parts in aluminum with internal/external threads, broaching keyways, flats, off center cross holes, and various other special features that Mazak, Nakamuras, and Mori's can handle. However would like other opinion on the pros and cons to moving that work to a sliding head machine. Volumes vary from 20pcs to 5,000 pc runs.
Seeking feedback / recommendation on moving from fixed headstock lathes with live tooling over to sliding head-stock machines. We make tons of family type parts in aluminum with internal/external threads, broaching keyways, flats, off center cross holes, and various other special features that Mazak, Nakamuras, and Mori's can handle. However would like other opinion on the pros and cons to moving that work to a sliding head machine. Volumes vary from 20pcs to 5,000 pc runs.