For simple turned parts in serious volume, nothing beats an automatic lathe on cost per piece. We run 15 cam and single-spindle automatics, and our capacity on straightforward turned parts — brass nuts, threaded inserts, small spacers — exceeds one million pieces a month.
The trade-off is honest and worth understanding: automatics are unbeatable on price per piece for parts whose geometry suits them, and the wrong choice for parts that demand lots of secondary features. We will tell you plainly which side of that line your part falls on.
Why Automatics Compete on Price
Long unattended runsThe machine keeps producing while the operator moves on.
Very short cycle timesSimple parts are cut in seconds, not minutes.
Low labour per pieceThe cost of setting up is spread over a large batch.
Stable repeatabilityCam-controlled motions repeat identically, part after part.
Automatic Lathe Capabilities
| Machines | 15 cam and single-spindle automatic lathes |
|---|---|
| Monthly capacity | 1,000,000+ pcs for simple turned parts (e.g. brass nuts) |
| Best fit | Simple geometries in high volume |
| Typical parts | Brass nuts, threaded inserts, spacers, pins, small fittings |
| Materials | Brass and copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum |
| Also available | CNC turning and turn-mill for complex features or smaller volumes |
Practical advice. If your part is simple and your annual volume is in the tens of thousands or more, it is worth asking for an automatic-lathe quote alongside the CNC one. If it is complex, or the volume is low, CNC turning is the better route — and we will say so.
Automatic Lathe — Common Questions
What is your monthly capacity?
For simple turned parts such as brass nuts, our capacity exceeds 1,000,000 pieces per month. Complex parts are naturally lower — it depends on cycle time, and we will give you a realistic figure per project.
Is quality the same as CNC?
For the geometry automatics handle, yes — and repeatability is excellent because the motions are cam-controlled. Where a part needs tight tolerance on features automatics cannot produce, CNC turning or turn-mill is the right answer.
What makes a part “suitable” for an automatic?
Mostly simple, rotationally symmetric geometry without a lot of secondary milling. If you are unsure, send the drawing — we will tell you which process we would run.