GSi Lathes from Hardinge Designed for Small to Medium-Size Shops

The Hardinge GSi series of compact two-axis lathes is designed as low-cost, entry level machines small to medium-size job shops and educational markets. The series includes the GS150i and GS200i models. 

“By minimizing costs, using existing designs, and leveraging our high-quality suppliers on standardized components, Hardinge has been able to create a very affordable, compact two-axis lathe, which offers many of the higher-end control features while not sacrificing machine rigidity, reliability and performance for this class of machine,” says Thomas Sheehy, global turning products specialist. 

The GS200i is equipped with a 5,000-rpm spindle, while the GS150i has a 6,000-rpm spindle. Both machines offer rapid traverse rates of 30 m/min. and a turret indexing time of 0.45 sec.

A one-piece, rigid cast iron bed and base structure provides longer tool life and heavy cutting ability, the company says. Designed using finite element analysis (FEA) techniques, the machines share a ribbed, 45-degree slant bed design for easy access and chip removal. The headstock design also minimizes thermal displacement and assures continuous machining accuracy, according to Hardinge. The machines are said to provide full stroke positioning accuracy of 0.01 mm and full stroke repeatability accuracy of 0.005 mm on the X and Z axes.