I. Technological Breakthroughs
1.Xinhua News Agency reported that General Technology Shenyang Machine Tool launched nine high-end machine tools, among which multiple horizontal CNC lathes have seen upgrades in precision and intelligent functions. The enterprise invests over 100 million yuan in research and development each year, independently tackling core components including spindles and CNC systems. Domestic lathes are applicable to the processing of parts for aerospace and new energy vehicles, gradually reducing reliance on imported high-end lathes. The group has built a CNC machine tool R&D base worth over one billion yuan in Beijing, focusing on developing precision CNC lathes and turn-mill equipment to address the long-standing stability flaws of domestic lathes.
2.Republished coverage from Xinhua News Agency stated that Qiqihar Heavy CNC independently developed China’s first heavy-duty CNC horizontal lathe, specially designed for processing large workpieces such as steam turbine rotors with a machining precision of 0.001 millimeters. Its self-developed tool post technology greatly boosts processing efficiency, successfully replacing imported heavy-duty lathes and resolving bottlenecks in the manufacturing of energy equipment. The company’s 2.5-meter vertical turn-mill-grind composite lathe made its debut at an international machine tool exhibition, capable of completing multiple processing procedures in a single clamping and catering to large parts for wind power and shipbuilding industries.
3.Science and Technology Daily reported that a private domestic CNC enterprise independently developed precision CNC lathes with a repetitive positioning accuracy of 0.4 micrometers, reaching the standards of world-leading lathe brands. Its bed, spindle and guide rails are all self-developed and paired with domestic CNC systems. The lathes are widely used for ultra-precise components in the semiconductor and medical sectors, with robust market order growth.
4.Reports from CCTV Finance showed that domestic five-axis turn-mill composite lathes equipped with local CNC systems achieve a positioning accuracy of 7 micrometers and can machine large rotary parts for the defense industry. In the past, high-end overseas lathes were subject to technical blockades and sold at exorbitant prices. Nowadays, domestic equipment is supplied in bulk to national defense and energy enterprises without restrictive foreign electronic locks, slashing after-sales maintenance costs significantly.
II. Industrial Market Data
1.People’s Network reported that General Technology Group has established a machine tool industrial base in the Yangtze River Delta. Local new energy and shipbuilding industries have strong demand for high-precision slant-bed CNC lathes and turn-mill equipment. After the base goes into operation, small and medium-sized precision CNC lathes will be locally manufactured and delivered, shortening delivery cycles, cutting procurement costs for manufacturers and improving the national industrial layout of domestic lathes.
2.Industry data news from Sina Finance cited statistics from the China Machine Tool & Tool Builders’ Association for the first quarter: China’s total output of metal-cutting machine tools hit 213,000 units, with new orders for CNC lathes rising 7.8% year-on-year and outstanding orders up 12.6%. Economical CNC lathes have achieved full domestic production, while the localization rate of high-end slant-bed and turn-mill composite lathes keeps climbing. The industry is shifting its development focus from output expansion to the upgrading of high-precision equipment.
3.China Economic Net reported that new-generation AI-powered CNC lathes represent the mainstream trend of the industry. Fitted with built-in intelligent detection modules, these machines can automatically compensate for machining errors and optimize cutting parameters to cut down manual debugging hours. Turn-mill composite lathes have gained immense market popularity, as a single unit can finish turning, milling, drilling and grinding processes. Ideal for complex parts such as new energy motor shafts and hydraulic valve bodies, the annual sales volume of composite lathes jumped 22% year-on-year.
III. Practical Application Cases
1.A Craftsman of Great Nations special feature by CCTV News covered skilled workers who optimized processing techniques by retrofitting ordinary CNC lathes, overcoming technical hurdles in manufacturing brake disc hubs for Fuxing high-speed trains. The optimized process eliminates the need for imported grinding machines and doubles processing efficiency. Workers created an innovative curved turning process for high-strength alloy workpieces used in high-speed trains, maintaining stable precision at 0.005 millimeters. Conventional domestic lathes can fully substitute imported precision equipment for these tasks.