NEW SMTCL CAK36 Series Flat Bed CNC Lathe

NEW SMTCL CAK36 Series Flat Bed CNC Lathe

The SMTCL CAK36 Series is a practical flat bed CNC lathe designed for general engineering, maintenance workshops, repair work and small-to-medium batch production.

The CAK36 is intended for workshops that require dependable CNC turning capability without the additional cost and complexity of a modern slant-bed turning centre.

With a 400 mm maximum swing over the bed, up to 360 mm maximum cutting diameter, A2-6 spindle nose, 200 mm chuck and 53 mm spindle bore on the main CAK36 configuration, the Series provides a straightforward and versatile platform for shafts, bushes, sleeves, flanges, threaded parts and general workshop components.

The machine uses a conventional flat-bed layout, vertical four-position turret and tailstock arrangement, making it particularly suitable for workshops that value rigidity, simple operation, serviceability and practical capital investment.


CAK36 Series Positioning

The CAK36 Series is best understood as a practical flat bed CNC lathe rather than a high-specification turning centre.

Its design priorities include:

• Simple and proven machine architecture

• Good general-purpose turning capability

• Practical workshop operation

• Easy serviceability

• Conventional workholding

• Tailstock-supported shaft machining

• Suitable capital cost

• Broad general engineering flexibility

The machine is particularly appropriate where live tooling, Y-axis machining, sub-spindles or high-speed automated production are not required.


Current Confirmed Model

CAK3665

The CAK3665 is the compact CAK36 configuration currently confirmed in the available MachineryPLUS data.

Key Specifications

• Maximum workpiece length: 750 mm

• Maximum cutting length: 650 mm

• Maximum swing over bed: 400 mm

• Maximum swing over slide: 180 mm

• Maximum cutting diameter: 360 mm

• Spindle nose: A2-6

• Chuck diameter: 200 mm

• Spindle bore: 53 mm

• Spindle speed: Stepless configuration, confirm with selected CNC and spindle package

• Tool turret: Vertical four-position turret

• Tailstock: Manual or hydraulic configuration depending on final order

• Machine net weight: approximately 1860 kg

• Overall dimensions: approximately 2350 × 1500 × 1580 mm

Final main motor power, rapid traverse, spindle-speed range, control system and hydraulic configuration should be confirmed before quotation.


Flat-Bed CNC Lathe Platform

The CAK36 uses a traditional horizontal flat-bed arrangement.

This machine concept is particularly useful for:

• General shaft turning

• Repair work

• Maintenance components

• One-off parts

• Small production batches

• Components requiring tailstock support

• Workshops where simplicity is more important than high-speed automation


The flat-bed layout provides a familiar and practical machine structure for general-purpose turning.


Rigid Flat-Bed Construction

The traditional horizontal bed structure is intended to support general turning applications where rigidity, simplicity and serviceability are important.

The machine is particularly suited to:

• Shaft work

• Bushes and sleeves

• Flanges

• Repair components

• Maintenance parts

• General workshop production


Compared with a high-speed slant-bed turning centre, the CAK36 is less focused on automation and rapid cycle performance and more focused on practical general-purpose use.


Automatic-Shift Headstock

The available CAK36 product information identifies an automatic-shift headstock design on the main models.

This provides a broad usable spindle-speed range for different turning operations.

The headstock arrangement is intended to support:

• General steel turning

• Cast-iron machining

• Aluminium machining

• Shaft work

• Larger-diameter turning

• Threading

• Boring


Final spindle-speed range and drive configuration should be confirmed against the selected control and machine package.


Independent Oil Tank

The CAK36 Series uses an independent oil-tank arrangement.

This design is intended to:

• Simplify maintenance

• Separate the lubrication system from the main machine structure

• Improve service access

• Support reliable workshop operation


Improved Coolant Containment

The available product information identifies:

• Large waterproof groove

• Diversion-based enclosure design

These features help improve management of coolant and chips during normal operation.


Vertical Four-Position Turret

The CAK36 uses a vertical four-position turret.

This simple turret arrangement is well suited to general workshop turning.

Typical tool positions may include:

• External turning tool

• Boring bar

• Grooving tool

• Threading tool


The four-position turret is easy to understand and maintain, but it does not provide the additional tooling flexibility of a modern 8- or 12-station turning-centre turret.


Tailstock Support

The CAK36 can be supplied with a conventional tailstock arrangement.

Depending on final configuration, manual or hydraulic tailstock options may be available.

The tailstock is particularly useful for:

• Long shafts

• Slender components

• Centre-supported turning

• Repair work

• General engineering components


Long slender components may also require a steady rest or follow rest depending on diameter, length and machining conditions.


Typical Applications

The CAK36 Series is well suited to:

• General engineering

• Maintenance workshops

• Mining support

• Agricultural equipment repair

• Transport equipment repair

• Industrial maintenance

• Small-batch manufacturing

• Job-shop machining

• Toolroom work

• General component production


Typical Workpieces

Typical CAK36 workpieces may include:

• Motor shafts

• Valve components

• Brake discs

• Flanges

• Hydraulic sleeves

• Hydraulic glands

• Bushes

• Bearing housings

• Bearing rings

• Threaded components

• Agricultural replacement parts

• Mining replacement parts

• General repair components


General Engineering Materials

Depending on tooling, workholding and cutting parameters, the CAK36 can be used for common engineering materials including:

• Carbon steel

• Alloy steel

• Stainless steel

• Cast iron

• Aluminium

• Non-ferrous materials


Final machining suitability should be checked against workpiece size, material, spindle load and required tolerances.


Why Consider the CAK36 Series?

The CAK36 is a strong choice where the customer needs straightforward CNC turning without unnecessary complexity.

Key reasons to consider the CAK36 include:

• 400 mm maximum swing over bed

• Up to 360 mm maximum cutting diameter

• 650 mm maximum cutting length on CAK3665

• A2-6 spindle nose

• 53 mm spindle bore

• 200 mm chuck

• Vertical four-position turret

• Tailstock support

• Compact approximately 2350 mm machine length

• Approximate machine weight of 1860 kg

• Practical flat-bed construction

• Suitable for general engineering and maintenance

• Suitable for low-to-medium production volumes

• Straightforward machine architecture


CAK36 Compared with a Slant-Bed Turning Centre

CAK36 Flat Bed CNC Lathe

Best suited for:

• General engineering

• Repair work

• Maintenance machining

• Small batches

• Shaft components

• Workshops prioritising simple operation

• Lower-complexity CNC turning


Modern Slant-Bed Turning Centre

Better suited where:

• Production cycle time is critical

• Frequent automatic tool changes are required

• High-volume batch production dominates

• Bar feeding is required

• Automation is important

• Live tooling or C-axis machining is required


The correct machine should be selected according to the actual production requirement rather than assuming that a more complex turning centre is automatically the better choice.


Not the Best Fit When You Need

The CAK36 may not be the best choice when:

• Live tooling is required

• Milling operations are required

• C-axis machining is required

• Y-axis machining is required

• High-volume bar-fed production is required

• Sub-spindle capability is required

• Twin-turret production is required

• Very high-speed slant-bed production is required

• Turning capacity exceeds the CAK36 machining envelope


For these applications, an HTC slant-bed turning centre or HTM turn-mill machine may be more appropriate.


CNC Control Options

The existing CAK configuration information lists CNC control alternatives including:

• FANUC 0i-TF Plus

• Siemens 808D Advanced

• Siemens 828D

• GSK control alternatives

• HNC alternatives


Actual availability, software functions and support package should be confirmed at quotation stage.


Typical Standard Equipment

Final standard equipment depends on the selected control and configuration.

A typical CAK36 base package may include:

• CNC control system

• Vertical four-position turret

• 200 mm chuck

• Manual tailstock

• Coolant system

• Automatic lubrication system

• Machine enclosure

• Work light

• Basic tool kit

• Machine documentation


Common Optional Equipment

Available options listed in the current CAK configuration information include:

• FANUC CNC control

• Siemens CNC control

• GSK CNC control

• Hydraulic chuck

• Hydraulic tailstock

• Thicker-quill tailstock

• Alternative chuck sizes where technically applicable

• Chip conveyor

• Steady rest

• Follow rest


Not every option can necessarily be combined with every CAK36 configuration.

Final compatibility should be confirmed before order placement.


Machine Selection and Configuration

The correct CAK36 configuration should be selected according to the actual workpiece and production requirement.

Please provide:

• Maximum workpiece diameter

• Maximum finished length

• Raw-stock dimensions

• Approximate workpiece weight

• Material

• Drawing where available

• Required turning operations

• Required boring operations

• Threading requirements

• Grooving requirements

• Drilling requirements

• Required tolerances

• Surface finish requirements

• Production quantity

• Preferred CNC control

• Manual or hydraulic chuck requirement

• Tailstock requirement

• Steady-rest requirement

• Chip conveyor requirement

• Tooling requirement

• Workshop power supply

• Delivery location

MachineryPLUS can assist with selecting the correct CAK configuration according to the actual component and workshop requirement.


Workholding Selection

Workholding should be matched to the workpiece and production volume.

Possible arrangements include:

• Manual chuck

• Hydraulic chuck

• Faceplate

• Special fixture

• Tailstock support

• Steady rest

• Follow rest


A manual chuck may be sufficient for low-frequency jobbing work.

A hydraulic chuck can improve loading consistency where repetitive production is more important.


Tooling Selection

Typical CAK36 tooling may include:

• External turning tools

• Boring bars

• Parting tools

• Grooving tools

• Threading tools

• Indexable drills

• Centre drills

• Live centres

• Drill chucks


MachineryPLUS can assist with matching the machine with a practical turning-tool and workholding package.


Workshop and Installation Planning

Before ordering the machine, consider:

• Workshop doorway width

• Machine unloading route

• Floor loading

• Machine footprint

• Operator access

• Electrical supply

• Coolant management

• Chip removal

• Lifting equipment

• Installation space

The CAK3665 has approximate dimensions of:

2350 × 1500 × 1580 mm

and weighs approximately:

1860 kg


Frequently Asked Questions


Is the CAK36 a turning centre?

No.

The CAK36 is best described as a flat bed CNC lathe.

Its standard four-position turret and conventional machine arrangement do not provide the live tooling, C-axis, Y-axis or automation normally associated with a modern turning centre.


What is the CAK3665 best suited for?

The CAK3665 is the compact CAK36 configuration currently confirmed in the available product data.

It is particularly suited to components where:

• 650 mm cutting length is sufficient

• 53 mm spindle bore is sufficient

• General-purpose turning is required

• Compact machine footprint is useful


Can the CAK36 machine long shafts?

Yes, within the selected machine's length capacity.

Long slender components may also require:

• Tailstock support

• Steady rest

• Follow rest

• Appropriate tooling

• Controlled cutting parameters

to reduce vibration and deflection.


What spindle bore does the CAK36 have?

The currently confirmed CAK3665 specification lists:

• 53 mm spindle bore


Which CNC controls are available?

Current CAK configuration material lists:

• FANUC

• Siemens

• GSK

• HNC

Final availability should be confirmed before quotation.


Can hydraulic chuck and hydraulic tailstock be supplied?

Hydraulic chuck and hydraulic tailstock options appear in the CAK configuration list.

Compatibility with the selected CAK36 machine should be confirmed before order placement.


Can the CAK36 machine stainless steel?

Yes, provided the workpiece size, tooling, workholding, spindle load and cutting parameters are appropriate.

The actual stainless-steel grade, diameter, length, machining operation and tolerance should be reviewed before machine selection.


Machine Selection Checklist

Before quotation, please provide:

• Largest workpiece diameter

• Longest workpiece

• Material

• Drawing where available

• Required tolerances

• Surface finish

• Batch size

• CNC control preference

• Chuck requirement

• Tailstock requirement

• Tooling requirement

• Power supply

• Delivery location


Complete Your Turning Solution

A CNC lathe is only one part of the complete turning system.

MachineryPLUS can also assist with:

• CNC machine selection

• Turning tools

• Tool holders

• Turning inserts

• Boring bars

• Parting and grooving tools

• Threading tools

• Drilling tools

• Live centres

• Drill chucks

• Chucking solutions

• Soft jaws

• Steady rests

• Tailstock tooling

• Measuring equipment

• Tool storage

• Workholding advice

• Tooling-package quotations


Explore More from MachineryPLUS

MachineryPLUS supplies machine tools, manufacturing solutions, cutting tools, workholding and supporting equipment for Australian manufacturing, machining and engineering businesses.

Our broader machine tool and manufacturing solution range includes:

• CNC Turning – CNC lathes, horizontal turning centres, vertical lathes, heavy-duty lathes and turn-mill machining centres.

• Machining Centres – vertical machining centres, horizontal machining centres, five-axis machining centres and drilling and tapping centres.

• Five-Axis Machining – vertical five-axis machining centres, horizontal five-axis machining centres, five-axis gantry machines and specialised five-axis machining solutions.

• Large Machining – gantry machining centres, floor-type boring and milling machines, table-type boring and milling machines and large heavy-duty machine tools.

• Precision & Specialised Machines – grinding machines, gear manufacturing machines, ultra-precision equipment and special-purpose machine tools.

• Forming & Forging Equipment – hydraulic presses, mechanical presses, forging systems, forming equipment and specialised production systems.

• Automation & Smart Manufacturing – robotic automation, gantry automation, flexible manufacturing systems, machining cells, automated production lines and digital manufacturing solutions.

• Cutting Tools – turning, milling, drilling, threading and holemaking tools for a broad range of machining applications.

• Tool Holders – BT, CAT, HSK, PSC/Capto, Morse taper, R8 and other machine tool holder systems.

• Workholding – machine vises, chucking solutions, soft jaws, centres, fixtures and CNC workholding accessories.

• Machine Tool Accessories – collets, drill chucks, pull studs, tapping systems, milling and lathe accessories and supporting workshop equipment.

• Tool Management & Storage – tooling storage, organisation and workshop solutions designed to improve productivity and tool control.

MachineryPLUS can support customers from individual machine selection through to tooling, workholding, automation and integrated manufacturing solutions.

Based in Perth, Western Australia, MachineryPLUS supports customers locally and Australia-wide with product selection, sourcing and practical manufacturing solutions.

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