Sharp 30160TC-F

Longest of Sharp's TC-F flat bed CNC lathes, the 30160TC-F turns work up to 157 in (3,988 mm) between centers on a 216.5 in (5,500 mm) bed. Swing is 29.92 in (760 mm), and pipe up to 6.7 in (170 mm) passes through the A2-11 spindle.

A part that long is rarely stiff. With a 19 in (480 mm) swing over the cross slide and a 22 in (558.8 mm) turning diameter in front of it, the machine can hold a slender shaft more than seven times as long as its largest turned diameter, and the setup has to supply the support the workpiece lacks. Sharp includes one steady rest (3"- 8") and lists a steady rest with bearing and follow up rests among the options. Budget for them. The tailstock quill is 5 in (125 mm) in diameter with an MT6 center.

The bed is the same 18 in (460 mm) wide flat-and-V casting used on the shorter models, here carrying 18,920 lb (8,581 kg) of machine. The Z axis covers 157.5 in (4,000 mm).

Installation is the real decision. The enclosure is 21.97 ft (6.69 m) long, though still 6.56 ft deep, and a bed this length must be levelled along its whole run to turn straight. Electrical demand is unchanged from the smaller 3000-series machines at 28 kVA, with a 20 hp (14.91 kW) spindle motor geared in 2 steps for 10-1,000 rpm. Operation by electronic handwheel, by program, or by both together is the same as on every TC-F lathe.