Has anyone got experience with polyturning capabilities on the Hardinge 42, 18T? or any other machine? I have a notion to experiment, but want to hear some things first.

These guys know about it:

http://www.processregister.com/Trishul_Machine_Tools_Pvt_Ltd/Supplier/sid84392.htm

That's some interesting turning processes, but it's more like horizontal hobbing. My machine is supposed to be capable of polyturning, but I don't have live tool capabilities. Does anybody know if polygon shapes be cut using the standard turret tooling? I guess I'll have to start experimenting.

First of all get off this "poly-turning" phrase. You are talking about a lathe with live tooling and a Y axis. If you do not have both you will NOT be able to mill a Hexagon on your parts.

First of all get off this "poly-turning" phrase. You are talking about a lathe with live tooling and a Y axis. If you do not have both you will NOT be able to mill a Hexagon on your parts.

not nessary, all you need is C-axis or polygon turning live tool with fix ratio gearbox.

you are both right and wrong, poly-milling is also known as polyform milling and yes, it can be achieved using x/z/c or x/y/z on a turning center.

Dont confuse this with polygon turning, for which you do need a syncro tool drive with the spindle, 1:1 or 2:1 to produce a hexaon for example.

polygon turning is very damaging to a lathe if the material is tough, it knocks the hell out of the tool drive and the spindle, due to intermittent cutting.

But they are totally different functions.

I think if you don't have live tooling, then the only way to get a polygon of any sort is going to be rotary broaching. It can be internal or external. Lots of power needed, from what I've heard. Maybe. Never had to do any.

For Poly turning or creating cam type profiles have used aTakisawa CNC lathe Which had a Ceramic Y axis Programmed in relation to the Spindle revolution no live tooling.
Have produced Poly milling with C axis and live tooling other machines.

It's an interesting process...I know I saw a chapter in the machine manual for a Mori Seiki lathe I used to have and most recently, thought ,
I saw a chapter in my hardinge C-42 manual, but haven't relocated it yet.