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.