HAIDI VL1600 Turn‑Mill Vertical Lathe – C‑Axis, Live Tooling, and Single‑Setup Machining for Complex Large Parts

Why turn‑mill vertical lathes are changing large‑part machining

For workshops producing large flanges, bearing rings, valve bodies, gear blanks, and wind power components, the traditional approach often involves separate operations on different machines – turning on a vertical lathe, then milling and drilling on a machining center. Each transfer between machines introduces alignment errors, adds setup time, and increases work‑in‑progress inventory.

The HAIDI VL1600 turn‑mill vertical lathe eliminates these inefficiencies by integrating turning, milling, drilling, and tapping into a single machine, single clamping, and single CNC program. The result is fewer setups, better accuracy, and faster throughput.

C‑axis and live tooling – the heart of turn‑mill capability

The VL1600 is equipped with a C‑axis that provides precise spindle positioning with 0.001° resolution. This allows the worktable to index the workpiece to any angular position, enabling milling and drilling operations on the face and periphery of the part without repositioning.

The live‑tool turret (ATC type, 12 stations) holds both stationary turning tools and rotating live tools for milling, drilling, and tapping. The milling spindle delivers speeds of 10–2,000 r/min with 350 N·m of torque – enough power for efficient milling of steel and cast iron components.

What this means in practice

For a typical flange that requires face turning, bolt‑hole drilling, and a locating slot, the VL1600 completes all operations in one clamping. The C‑axis indexes the flange to each bolt‑hole position, the live tool drills the hole, and the machine moves to the next position automatically. The result is a bolt circle with perfect positional accuracy – no cumulative error from multiple setups.

Rigid construction for heavy cutting

The VL1600 is built on a box‑type cast iron structure using high‑strength grey iron. The casting material includes elements such as carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and copper, providing excellent static, dynamic, and thermal rigidity.

The worktable is driven by a multi‑stage gearbox with full gear transmission, which avoids spindle torque loss and delivers 20% higher torque compared to traditional belt drive systems. The table uses oversized precision cross‑roller bearings, providing exceptional rigidity and durability for heavy cutting conditions.

Guideways and axes

The X‑axis (horizontal stroke: 1,000 mm) uses roller linear guideways as standard, with an optional hardened box guideway configuration available. The Z‑axis (vertical stroke: 800 mm) features a square hardened box guideway with Turcite‑B coated sliding surfaces, precision ground and hand‑scraped for optimum contact. This combination provides excellent vibration damping, high rigidity, and long‑term accuracy retention.

The ram has a cross‑section of 240×240 mm, providing the stiffness needed for heavy milling cuts without deflection.

CNC control and automation

The VL1600 is available with Siemens 828D/840D or Fanuc 0i‑TF/31i CNC controls. The control supports full C‑axis interpolation, rigid tapping, and tool radius/length compensation. The ATC (automatic tool changer) enables quick, reliable tool changes, minimising non‑cutting time.

Who is the VL1600 for?

• Shops producing large flanges, bearing rings, valve bodies, and gear blanks that require both turning and milling

• Wind power component manufacturers needing precise bolt circles and locating features on large rings

• General engineering workshops looking to reduce setups and improve accuracy by consolidating operations

• Factories with limited floor space seeking a compact yet capable turn‑mill platform (footprint: approximately 6.2 × 4.9 metres)

➡️ To discuss your specific requirements – part types, materials, and production volume – or to request a detailed quotation, click here to contact our sales engineering team.