Femco HL-55 CNC Lathe for Heavy Interrupted Cuts

A slant bed lathe positions the guideway at an angle, improving chip evacuation away from the cutting zone and reducing thermal buildup. This design enhances structural rigidity, allows for easier operator access, and supports larger diameter workpieces. The FEMCO HL-55 utilizes wide wrap-around box ways on a rigid slant bed frame to deliver superior stability for heavy and interrupted cuts.

G55 is a CNC work coordinate system (WCS) offset command, specifically the second of six standard work offsets (G54–G59) used in CNC programming. It allows the operator to define a secondary workpiece datum separate from G54, enabling multi-setup or multi-fixture operations on the same machine. The FEMCO HL-55 runs on FANUC CNC control, which fully supports all standard G-code work offset commands including G55.

The FEMCO HL-55 series offers swing over bed from 28.62 inches up to 80 inches depending on the model configuration. The HL-55 NT chucker features a 28.62-inch swing, while the HL-55/1250 extended configurations can accommodate significantly larger workpieces. This makes the series ideal for oil field components, marine parts, and large-diameter industrial workpieces.

Both the FEMCO HL-55 NT and HL-55/1250 are configured as chucker-style turning centers without a tailstock. This design is optimized for high-volume production of parts up to 24-inch diameter that do not require center support, such as flanges, rings, and large-bore components common in oil field, marine, and industrial manufacturing.

The FEMCO HL-55 is widely used in oil field and oil country tubular goods (OCTG) machining, ship building and marine manufacturing, aerospace, military, electric motor rebuilding, pump manufacturing, gearbox work, power utilities, and general heavy manufacturing. Its large swing capacity, heavy-duty construction, and FANUC control make it versatile across any industry requiring large-diameter precision turning.

The FEMCO HL-55 series is equipped with a FANUC CNC Control system, one of the most widely supported and reliable controls in the industry. FANUC controls offer intuitive programming, extensive G-code support, and broad compatibility with CAM software. T.R. Wigglesworth Machinery Company also provides technical support and training for operators working with the FANUC control on this machine.