b'To maximize productivity, a twin-spindle machining center is great, but a shop must be prepared.By Kip HansonB akers use double ovens to whip up twice as many cakes and cookies each day. Double martinis get the job done in half the time. A bicycle is safer than a uni-cycle. There are many other examples in which two of something is better than one, but possibly nowhere is this more quantifiable than with twin-spindle ma-chining centers. After all, for a slight in-crease in floor space and additional tool-ing expenses, having two spindles can effectively halve production costs for a variety of parts compared with a single-spindle machine. So why dont twin-spin-dle machining centers rule the production floor at machine shops everywhere?Gemini ManIn some situations, twin-spindle machin-ing centers do rule. Graham Roeder, na-tional product manager at Jtekt Toyoda Americas Corp., Arlington Heights, Illinois, said primary users of the companys Gem-ini XL line of twin-spindle machining centers make automotive parts, such as steering knuckles and brake caliper components.But twin spindles present significant advantages to pretty much any high-vol-ume shop, automotive or not, he said.Roeder said the number of sales inqui-ries for twin spindles has been rising. Even Like many twin-spindle machines, Chiron Americas DZ16 W has an independent w-axis, which is used to compensate for differences in tool length and fixture height.Chiron Americactemag.com/cteguide.com23Multispindle.indd 23 3/16/20 12:05 PM'