Abstract: A manipulating device (1) for lathes is described, in particular for vertical turret lathes including at least one toolholder saddle, of the type comprising at least a first and a second workpiece manipulator device (10,11) associated with the saddle, such that by means of the displacement of the toolholder saddle the manipulator devices are displaceable between a station (C) for loading workpieces (P) to be machined and a station (S) for unloading the machined workpieces, a workpiece table (4) of the lathe being placed between the stations (C,S) to support the workpiece (P) during machining, wherein the first and the second manipulator device (10, 11) are displaceable with movements independent of one another, at least in the direction (X) of displacement of the toolholder saddle to and from the loading and unloading stations (C,S) and the workpiece table (4), in such a way that the distance between the manipulator devices (10, 11) on the lathe is adjustable at least in that direction (X).

Abstract: A method of machining mechanical workpieces, in particular of machining the braking surfaces (2,3) of a brake disc (1) for vehicles is described and comprises the steps of loading the workpiece onto a work station (8) and clamping the workpiece in a median reference plane (A) between the opposed braking surfaces (2,3), as well as defining the excess material material thickness to be removed from each of the said surfaces, with respect to the positioning coordinates of the said plane in relation to a system of working axes of the station, to achieve a balanced, centred division of excess metal removed from the said surfaces (2,3).

Abstract: Equipment for mechanical machining, especially the turning and drilling of mechanical workpieces, such as light alloy wheels and the like, includes at least one turning unit with a double chuck to support the workpieces being machined and a turning head designed to work in association with one or other of the chucks alternately. At least one first workpiece loading/unloading device can be used for moving the workpieces being machined on one or other of the chucks so as to bring about loading/unloading of the workpieces from one of the chucks at the same time as mechanical machining is being carried out on the other chuck. The equipment further includes at least one drilling unit operatively associated with the turning unit and including at least one first drilling head combined with at least one corresponding first workpiece-holding device and at least one second device for loading/unloading parts to move parts being machined in the drilling unit.