Master Large-Scale Precision with a Flat Bed CNC Lathe

Absolute Machine Tools proudly presents the Johnford LC Series, a heavy-duty, high-precision flat bed CNC lathe designed to effortlessly manage the largest and longest workpieces in the industry. Embrace the power to expand your machining capabilities and transform challenges into routine.

Our Flat Bed CNC Lathes Offer Unrivaled Features for Unmatched Performance 

The Johnford LC Series is specifically engineered for clients demanding the extra mile in size, precision, and strength. With a remarkable distance between centers ranging from 80″ (2,032 mm) to 788″ (20,015 mm) and a generous swing over bed from 40″ (1,016 mm) to 90″ (2,286 mm), these machines stand as the uncontested solution for substantial workpieces. 

• High Precision and Robust Power: Command your operations with spindle powers ranging from 50 to 133 hp, backed by a four-speed gearbox spindle drive for unyielding torque. 
• C-axis and Y-axis Capabilities: Opt for additional machining versatility with optional C-axis and Y-axis functionalities, broadening your machining envelope capabilities. 
• Versatile Tooling Options: The standard vertical 12-tool turret, offering a 12″ thick tool disk, ensures strength and rigidity through the tool, swift indexing and strong coolant delivery through the tool holders. Select from optional 4 or 6 horizontal, 8 vertical, or twin turrets to meet specific operational and cutting requirements. 
• Exceptional Boring Bar Capacity: The robust turret design allows for a boring bar capacity of up to 6″, catering to substantial boring operations with ease and rigidity. 
• Superior Structural Integrity: The machine bed, a solid one-piece Meehanite casting, ensures minimal vibration, superior machine strength and support, efficient chip flow, machine integrity, and peace of mind that your investment is built to last. 
• Innovative Design for Stability: The bed’s unique three-way design, with the center way doubling up, allows for stable turning through steady rests and accommodates additional equipment and accessories while maintaining part quality. 
• Advanced Z-axis Configuration: The Z-axis ballscrew remains stationary while the ball nut rotates, eliminating screw whip and vibration, ensuring consistent precision over long workpieces. 

From aerospace fuselages to ship shafts, Johnford’s flat bed CNC lathe series excels in delivering precision and reliability. Its capability to handle extreme weights and lengths makes it a trusted partner in industries where scale and precision are non-negotiable. 

Understanding the Precision: Flat Bed CNC Lathe vs. Slant Bed 

Choosing the right CNC lathe is crucial for your machining needs, and understanding the differences between flat bed and slant bed CNC lathes can significantly impact your decision. Absolute Machine Tools provides you with both options, ensuring you have access to a variety of lathes that best suits your projects. 

What Sets Them Apart 

Flat Bed CNC Lathe: 

• Design: The bed in a flat bed lathe is positioned horizontally, making it well-suited for handling both light and heavy-duty materials. 
• Accuracy: Flat bed lathes excel in machining rigid materials, ensuring superior tolerances and precision of heavy long parts. 
• Power Consumption: These lathes are designed for efficiency, resulting in lower power consumption. 
• Stability and Productivity: Due to their robust construction, flat bed lathes offer higher stability and can deliver a greater range of productivity, especially for larger, heavier workpieces. 
• Expertise Required: Operating a flat bed CNC lathe to its fullest potential often requires the skills of a seasoned machinist.  Scrapping parts on a flat bed lathe can be costly. 

Slant Bed CNC Lathe: 

• Alignment: In these lathes, the bed is aligned at an angle, which provides advantageous Z-axis movement. 
• Material Suitability: These machines are typically preferred for workpieces that are lighter and shorter than workpieces cut on a flat bed lathe. 
• Ease of Use: They often facilitate easier tool mounting, maintenance, and workpiece loading due to their ergonomic design. 
• Accuracy Maintenance: The stabilized motion of the moving parts on these machines helps maintain machining accuracy, even under heavy load conditions. 

Customize Flat Bed Lathes with Absolute Machine Tools 

At Absolute Machine Tools, we understand that the choice between a flat bed and slant bed horizontal turning centers is significant and often depends on the specific applications and materials you work with. Our range of lathes ensures that whether your focus is on heavy-duty stability or Z-axis movement and accessibility, we have the right solution for you. However, often manufacturers have requirements that are outside our published specifications. That’s when we jump into action. Absolute Machine Tools prides itself in working with our machine tool OEMs to customize and design flat bed and slant bed lathes to fit a particular application and we need to investigate options outside the box. That’s never an issue when you partner with Absolute Machine Tools.

Are you ready to command the industry’s most formidable workpieces with absolute confidence and precision? Complete the form below to reach out to our experts for an in-depth consultation or request a quote on the Johnford LC Series flat bed CNC lathe and revolutionize your production capabilities.