CNC Lathe Turrets & Live Tooling Solutions

The main types of CNC lathe turrets include disc-type (or flat) turrets, drum turrets, and gang-tool configurations. They can be further classified by their tooling interface—most commonly VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) and BMT (Base Mounted Tooling). Turrets may also support static (fixed) tooling only or live (rotating) tooling for milling and drilling operations on the lathe.

VDI turrets use a shank-style tool holder inserted into the turret face from the front, following DIN 69880 standards. BMT turrets mount tools directly to the turret disc face using bolts, providing a more rigid, lower-profile connection. BMT systems generally offer greater rigidity and tool stability, making them preferred for heavy-duty cutting, while VDI systems offer faster and more flexible tool changes.

The Clausing CNC Lathe features a 4-way auto hydraulic turret that enables fast, precise, and repeatable automatic tool indexing. This hydraulic actuation ensures consistent clamping force during machining, which is critical when working with the large-diameter workpieces—up to 80 inches swing over bed—that these machines are designed to handle.

Clausing CNC Lathes are offered with Fanuc Oi Control as standard, with optional Siemens CNC Control available on the SC series. These widely used platforms support full turret indexing programs, CSS (Constant Surface Speed) control, and multi-axis machining routines, making integration with existing shop programming workflows straightforward.

CNC lathe turret solutions are used across a broad range of industries. Clausing CNC Lathes with hydraulic turrets are particularly suited for oil field and oil country tubular goods (OCTG) machining, shipbuilding and marine fabrication, power utility component manufacturing, and heavy-duty job shops that require large swing capacity and precise turning of oversized workpieces.

Clausing-backed machines come with a one-year warranty supported by the Clausing Service Center, which maintains an inventory of over 80,000 parts. Approximately 95% of all parts orders are shipped within 24 hours. On-site and phone-based technical support from highly qualified technicians is also available to minimize downtime and keep production running.