Jamnagar workshops use a mix of cam-type automatic lathes, CNC turning centres, sliding-head lathes and, in the larger plants, vertical machining centres. The cam automatics are often called "Traub" or "Traub-type" machines locally, after the German design many of them follow.
Most "Traub" machines in the cluster are not original German machines. Many are older imports or Indian-built machines based on the same cam-operated design. The name describes the type, not the maker.
The main machine types
- Cam-type single-spindle automatics are the workhorses for simple parts in high volume. Each part shape needs its own set of cams, so set-up is slow but running cost is low.
- CNC turning centres are programmed, not cammed. They change over quickly and hold tighter tolerances, which suits smaller batches and more complex parts.
- CNC lathes with live tooling can drill cross-holes, mill flats and cut slots in the same set-up, which avoids second operations.
- Sliding-head lathes, often called Swiss-type, guide the bar close to the cutting tool. They suit long, slender and very precise parts such as pins and contacts.
- Vertical machining centres handle milled parts and second operations on forged or cast bodies.
- Special-purpose machines, such as multi-station drilling and tapping machines, are common for fittings and valve bodies.
Why the machine list matters
Cam automatics are fast and cheap for parts with loose tolerances. They are less suited to tight diameters, close positional tolerances or frequent design changes. A shop that runs only cam machines may quote well but struggle on a precise part.
CNC machines give better repeatability, but only if they are maintained and the shop measures properly. An old CNC lathe with a worn spindle may hold tolerances no better than a well-set cam machine.
Ask for a machine list with the make, model, year and maximum bar diameter of each machine. Then check that the list matches what you see on the floor. The guide on what machines a precision supplier should have explains what to look for.
Questions to ask on a visit
- Which machines will run my part, and how many of them are free?
- How old are the machines, and when were they last overhauled or checked for accuracy?
- Which steps are done in-house and which are sent to job workers?
- What measuring equipment sits next to the machines, and how often is it calibrated?
- How are first-off parts approved after each set-up?
Check capability, not just machines
A good machine list does not prove good parts. The people who set the machines and the checks they run matter as much. Ask to see recent inspection records for a part similar to yours, and measure a few parts from the line yourself.
The tolerances different machine types can hold are covered in what tolerances Jamnagar suppliers can hold.
Next step
We find and audit manufacturers, check what machines actually run your part, and supervise production. To check a Jamnagar shop's real capability, book a free sourcing review.