Hardinge Conquest GT 27
Key Specifications
Maximum Bar Capacity
Maximum Turning Diameter
Maximum Turning Length
Spindle Speed (Max)
Spindle Power
Spindle Runout (Guaranteed)
Overview
The Hardinge Conquest GT 27 is a high-precision CNC turning center in the Conquest GT series, designed for close-tolerance turning of small to medium diameter parts where surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and part-to-part repeatability are the primary criteria. The Conquest GT heritage traces back to Hardinge Swiss-influenced precision lathe tradition, emphasizing spindle quality and machine rigidity over large working envelopes or high material removal rates.
The GT 27 designation indicates a 27 mm bar capacity, placing this machine in the precision small-parts turning segment alongside Swiss-type lathes for applications that do not require the complexity of a sliding headstock. The machine is built around a precision spindle with preloaded angular contact bearings ground to strict runout standards, a hallmark of Hardinge manufacturing that distinguishes the Conquest GT from more commodity-oriented turning centers in the same price tier.
Hardinge slant-bed construction, combined with turcite-coated box guideways, provides the rigidity and damping needed for fine finishing cuts and hard turning operations on materials up to 60+ HRC with CBN tooling. The Conquest GT 27 is often specified for medical implant components, aerospace precision fittings, and instrument parts where drawing callouts specify tolerances of 0.005 mm (0.0002 in) or tighter on diameter.
The Conquest GT 27 occupies the space between general-purpose job shop turning centers and ultra-precision dedicated lathes. It combines production-capable cycle times with accuracy levels that approach those of grinding, making it a cost-effective solution for precision turned parts that would otherwise require secondary finishing operations.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Bar Capacity | 27 mm (1.06 in) |
| Maximum Turning Diameter | 155 mm |
| Maximum Turning Length | 305 mm (12 in) |
| Spindle Speed (Max) | 6,000 rpm |
| Spindle Power | 7.5 kW |
| Spindle Runout (Guaranteed) | < 2.5 µm (0.0001 in) |
| Spindle Nose | A2-5 |
| Turret Stations | 8 |
| Guideway Type | Turcite-coated box ways |
| Positioning Repeatability | +/-0.0025 mm |
| Control | Fanuc 0i-TF |
Specifications sourced from cnczone.com — verified 2026-03-28
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- Hardinge precision spindle with guaranteed <2.5 µm runout delivers superior surface finish and dimensional accuracy
- Turcite-coated box guideways provide excellent rigidity and damping for fine finishing cuts
- Purpose-built for close-tolerance small parts where accuracy matters more than large capacity
- Proven platform with decades of refinement in precision turned component manufacturing
- Compact footprint and manageable weight suit existing shop floor layouts without major infrastructure changes
Limitations
- Small bar capacity (27 mm) and turning diameter (155 mm) limit the range of parts the machine can handle
- No live tooling in base configuration — parts needing milled features require a secondary operation or additional machine
- Lower power (7.5 kW) compared to general-purpose turning centers; not suitable for heavy roughing
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
The Conquest GT 27 uses precision spindle bearings preloaded and ground to tighter-than-standard specifications, with a guaranteed spindle runout under 2.5 µm. Combined with Turcite-coated box guideways that resist stick-slip and dampen vibration, the machine holds tighter diametral tolerances and delivers finer surface finish than commodity turning centers with comparably sized work envelopes.
02
Yes. The machine rigidity and box guideway system support CBN hard turning of steels up to approximately 62 HRC. Hard turning on the Conquest GT 27 can achieve surface finishes and tolerances that reduce or eliminate subsequent cylindrical grinding for many part families.
03
The standard Conquest GT 27 does not include live tooling. Hardinge offers live tooling turret configurations as an option on some Conquest GT variants. Shops requiring combined turning and milling should evaluate the Talent 6/51 or Quest series machines.
04
The Super Precision Lathe (SP series) is an even higher-specification machine targeting sub-micron tolerances for gage-quality work and is typically used in metrology, optics, and aerospace precision applications. The Conquest GT 27 is a production-capable precision turning center suitable for high-volume precision parts rather than one-off ultra-precision work.
05
The Conquest GT 27 is most commonly found in aerospace precision components shops, medical device and implant manufacturers, precision instrument and optical component producers, and contract shops that specialize in close-tolerance turned parts where accuracy is a competitive differentiator.
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