Machine tool

A method of machining workpieces, the method including the following steps:

• loading at least a first workpiece and a second workpiece onto a workpiece support column so that each of the first workpiece and the second workpiece is supported by the workpiece support column with a longitudinal axis of the respective workpiece extending horizontally, one of the workpieces being placed vertically above the other one of the workpieces,
• rotating the workpiece support column around a vertical axis to bring the workpieces to a machining station,
• carrying out at least a first machining operation comprising removing material from the workpieces by turning the workpieces, whereby turning the workpieces includes rotating the workpieces around the longitudinal axes of the respective workpieces with respective motor and chuck assemblies, each of the motor and chuck assemblies comprising an electric motor comprising a stator and a rotor placed radially inside the stator, the assembly further comprising a hollow workpiece-spindle extending through the rotor, the workpiece-spindle having a first end and a second end, the assembly further comprising a retractable jaw chuck at least partly arranged within the workpiece-spindle at the second end, the retractable jaw chuck comprising jaws for clamping a workpiece, wherein the workpiece-spindle is surrounded by the rotor at a position between the first end and the second end, wherein the workpiece-spindle is rotationally fixed to the rotor so that it rotates with the rotor, wherein the workpiece-spindle has a first inner diameter at the first end and a second inner diameter at the second end, wherein the rotor has a third inner diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is substantially larger than the first inner diameter and/or than the third inner diameter, and
• unloading the workpieces from the workpiece support column.