Introducing the NEW Johnford SL-300-II Slant Bed Turning Center

PUBLISHED ON: February 20, 2024
LAST MODIFIED ON: August 9, 2024

SL-300L-II Super Slant Bed 30 Degree Turning Center

Absolute Machine Tools is pleased to introduce the NEW Johnford SL-300L-II slant bed turning center with extended 40” turn length for longer part turning. With a list price of just $142,000, the SL-300L-II comes standard with a wide range of attractive features, including:

40” Turn Length
Dual Hydraulic Steady Rests
2” Bar Capacity
22.8” Swing Over Bed
17.7” Swing Over Cross Slide
20HP
8” 3-Jaw Hydraulic Chuck
12 Tool Turret
787 IPM Rapid Traverse Rate
Fully Programmable Tailstock

Why Choose Johnford’s SL Series Lathes?

Since 1979, Johnford CNC machines have been built to last, and the SL Series lathes are no exception. The one-piece Meehanite cast iron base provides intense strength and added rigidity, but also dissipates heat away from the part for improved dimensional accuracy. Johnford still hand-scrapes their box ways and coats all mating surfaces with Turcite-B for exceptional fit, mobility, and precision.

The SL-300L-II ballscrews are double nut type and pretensioned to eliminate thermal growth. The 30° slant bed design allows for improved chip removal away from the work envelope and workpiece, space efficiency for more compact footprint design, and improved operator ergonomics for better part visibility and accessibility to cutting tools.

Also included in the new SL-300L-II is a 12-station bi-directional servo turret or optional BMT-55 servo live turret with 7.5 HP milling motor providing .2 second indexing as well as coolant through the tool holders. In addition to the live tooling option, a true linear Y axis is also available for off-center milling operations. Our Y axis is perpendicular to X in a right-angle design, providing true linear Y axis movement. Fanuc OiT-F Plus CNC control with 10.4” color LCD, full MDI keypad, Manual Guide i Conversational are all standard accessories to complement this new machine model.

Spindle Configurations and Optional Accessories

The precision spindle structure is mounted using precision double row roller bearings in conjunction with angular contact ball bearings for high rigidity and accuracy. The spindle quill inner and outer linings are precision ground for fine fitting with the spindle, thus ensuring extreme concentricity and accuracy. Three spindle configurations are available to suit any machining requirement:

1.7” bar capacity, 6,000 RPM spindle
2” bar capacity, 4,500 RPM spindle
3” bar capacity 4,000 RPM spindle

Optional accessories include an automatic tool presetter, radial and axial live tool heads, contouring C axis with live tools, and much more. The C-axis accuracy is 0.001 degrees. The live tooling used for the C-axis is backed by a 7.5 HP spindle motor.

Add our special productivity package, which includes either a TRACER V-65E 4’ pneumatic bar loader, Vs-65E 4’ servo bar loader, or a TRACER Vs-80L 5’ servo bar loader, parts catcher, and parts conveyor for unattended operations.

Why Is the Bed of a Lathe Constructed on a Slant?

Ever wonder why a CNC lathe bed design incorporates a 30°, 45° or 60° slant? Well, most people don’t, they just know it works; so, here are a few reasons why the bed of a lathe is constructed on a slant:

Improved Chip Removal: The slanted bed in a lathe allows chips and coolant to easily fall away from the workpiece and into a collection system, such as a built-in chip conveyor, reducing chip buildup within the work envelope and preventing interference with machining operations.
Enhanced Rigidity: The slant bed design provides better support for the carriage and tooling, resulting in a reduced vibration and improved cutting performance. This increased rigidity contributes to higher machining accuracies and fine surface finish.
Better Ergonomics: Operators can have improved visibility and access to the workpiece and cutting tools due to the angled orientation of the lathe’s bed. This can lead to increased efficiency and safety during setup, operations, and maintenance.
Space Efficiency: The 30°, 45°, and 60° slant bed designs allows for improved compact machine footprint compared to a flat-bed lathe of similar capacity, making it ideal for shops with limited space.
Improved Chip Management: The slant incline helps prevent chips from accumulating in the bed, around the part, or anywhere inside the machining envelope, reducing the need for frequent cleanings and maintenance.
Reduced Thermal Distortion: The slant bed design can help mitigate the effects of thermal expansion during machining, leading to improved dimensional accuracy of finished machined parts.

Learn More About the NEW Johnford SL-300-II

For more information or a quote on the new Johnford SL-300-II, email Absolute Machine Tools at info@absolutemachine.com.

Introducing the NEW Johnford SL-300-II Slant Bed Turning Center

Why Choose Johnford’s SL Series Lathes?

Spindle Configurations and Optional Accessories

Why Is the Bed of a Lathe Constructed on a Slant?

Learn More About the NEW Johnford SL-300-II

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