Multi-spindle CNC lathe

A method of forming at least two different parts from a single length of bar stock including the steps of:

• providing a length of bar stock having an axis;
• rotating the length of bar stock about its axis;
• providing a forming zone;
• selectively advancing the length of bar stock along its axis until a first portion of the length of bar stock is located in the forming zone;
• providing a first single point cutting tool;
• providing a first CNC controllable mechanism for selectively advancing and retracting the first cutting tool into and out of the forming zone along a path parallel to the axis of the rotating length of bar stock;
• providing a second single point cutting tool;
• providing a second CNC controllable mechanism for selectively advancing and retracting the second cutting tool into and out of the forming zone along a path extending radially relative to the rotating length of bar stock;
• providing a third CNC controllable mechanism for selectively advancing and retracting the second cutting tool along a path parallel to the axis of the rotating bar stock;
• providing CNC control means for simultaneously operating the first, second, and third CNC controllable mechanisms;
• causing the control means to simultaneously operate the first, second, and third CNC controllable mechanisms to advance and retract the first and second cutting tools in accordance with a first predetermined sequence of instructions to form the first portion of the length of bar stock into a first predetermined configuration;
• thereafter advancing the length of bar stock along its axis until a second portion of the length of bar stock is positioned in the forming zone;
• immediately thereafter causing the control means to simultaneously operate the first, second and third CNC controllable mechanisms to advance and retract the first and second cutting tools in accordance with a second predetermined sequence of instructions to form the second portion of the length of bar stock into a second predetermined configuration which is substantially different from the first predetermined configuration.