SMEC PL 45LY
Key Specifications
X Travel
Z Travel
Max Turn Length
Accuracy
chuck size
max turning diameter
Overview
The SMEC PL 45LY is a heavy-duty 15-inch chuck CNC turning center with live tooling and Y-axis capability, targeting medium-to-large diameter workpieces that exceed the capacity of the standard 8-10 inch lathe class. The 'L' designates the larger frame, and the 'Y' confirms the Y-axis for off-center milling operations. With a maximum turning diameter of 650 mm and a maximum turning length of 805 mm, the PL 45LY handles larger shaft work, flanges, valve bodies, hydraulic cylinders, and other components that simply don't fit in compact turning centers.
The spindle produces 26 kW (35 hp) continuous power through a gear-driven headstock with a maximum speed of 3,500 RPM. The A2-8 spindle nose accommodates 15-inch (381 mm) hydraulic chucks, and the 102 mm (4.0 in) bar capacity handles heavy bar stock for production applications. The gear-driven headstock delivers high torque at low RPM — critical for heavy roughing on large-diameter cast iron and steel parts where surface speed requirements keep spindle RPM low. Box-type slideways on both axes complement the heavy-cutting capability with maximum rigidity.
The BMT 65 live tool turret features 12 stations with 7.5 kW milling power, a meaningful step up from the smaller PL 2000MS's 5.5 kW live tools. The Y-axis provides +/-60 mm of travel, and the C-axis delivers 0.001-degree positioning resolution. This combination allows the PL 45LY to perform substantial milling, drilling, and tapping operations on larger workpieces — bolt circle drilling on flanges, keyway milling on shafts, and hex profiling on valve bodies are all within its capability.
Controlled by a Fanuc 0i-TF Plus, the PL 45LY prices in the $130,000-$200,000 range new. It competes with the Doosan Puma 3100LY, Hyundai Wia L400LA, and Hwacheon Hi-Tech 450 in the large-bore turning center segment. For shops that need to turn and mill larger parts without moving them to a separate machining center, the PL 45LY offers Korean value engineering in a substantial package.
Full Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Chuck Size | 15 inch (381 mm) |
| Max Turning Diameter | 650 mm (25.6 in) |
| Max Turning Length | 805 mm (31.7 in) |
| Bar Capacity | 102 mm (4.0 in) |
| Spindle Nose | A2-8 |
| Spindle Speed | 3,500 RPM max |
| Spindle Motor | 26 kW (35 hp) continuous, gear-driven |
| Turret | 12-station BMT 65 live tool turret |
| Live Tool Power | 7.5 kW (10 hp) |
| Y Axis Travel | +/-60 mm (+/-2.36 in) |
| X-Axis Travel | 310 mm (12.2 in) |
| Z-Axis Travel | 835 mm (32.9 in) |
| C Axis Resolution | 0.001 degrees |
| Rapid Traverse X | 24 m/min |
| Rapid Traverse Z | 30 m/min |
| Positioning Accuracy | +/-0.005 mm (+/-0.0002 in) |
| Guideway Type | Box-type slideways |
| Tailstock Quill Diameter | 100 mm (3.94 in) hydraulic |
| CNC Control | Fanuc 0i-TF Plus |
| Machine Weight | 7,200 kg (15,873 lb) |
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- 15-inch chuck and 650 mm turning diameter handle medium-to-large workpieces that don't fit in standard 8-10 inch turning centers
- Gear-driven 26 kW headstock delivers high torque at low RPM for aggressive roughing on large-diameter steel and cast iron
- BMT 65 live tooling with 7.5 kW milling power provides meaningful milling capability for bolt circles, keyways, and hex profiles on larger parts
- 102 mm bar capacity opens up heavy bar stock production work that smaller lathes can't accommodate
- Box-type slideways provide maximum rigidity for heavy interrupted cuts typical of large-diameter turning
- Y-axis with +/-60 mm travel enables off-center milling and drilling without moving workpieces to a separate machining center
Limitations
- Gear-driven spindle maximum of 3,500 RPM limits surface speed on smaller diameters, making it less ideal for small-part finishing
- 7,200 kg machine weight requires substantial floor space and foundation preparation compared to compact turning centers
- Box slideways reduce rapid traverse speed (24/30 m/min) compared to linear guideway machines, increasing non-cutting time
- No sub-spindle option means back-working still requires a second operation on parts needing complete processing
- SMEC brand resale value trails Doosan and Okuma in the large lathe segment of the North American used machine market
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
01
New PL 45LY machines typically price between $130,000 and $200,000 depending on options and dealer. The live tooling and Y-axis configuration adds approximately $30,000-$50,000 over the base PL 45 turning-only model.
02
Both are 15-inch class Korean turning centers with live tooling and Y-axis. The Puma 3100LY has a larger North American dealer network and stronger brand recognition. The SMEC PL 45LY typically offers a lower purchase price with comparable specifications and Korean build quality.
03
Yes. The combination of box-type slideways, gear-driven headstock with high low-end torque, and the 15-inch chuck provides excellent rigidity for heavy interrupted cutting on castings, forgings, and flame-cut blanks.
04
The PL 45LY accommodates bar stock up to 102 mm (4.0 in) diameter through the spindle bore. This works with magazine bar feeders from major manufacturers for production bar turning of larger-diameter stock.
05
No, the PL 45LY does not offer a sub-spindle. For complete front-and-back machining in a single setup on this size class, shops typically use the PL 45LY for main operations and a second machine for back-working, or consider a larger mill-turn center.
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