MADISON, Wisc., (November 4, 2025) – Tormach, a US-based manufacturer of CNC machines and automation tools, announces its latest innovation: the 15LX CNC Lathe, a next-generation machine tool that delivers more horsepower, faster rapids and advanced EtherCAT-based control – all in a compact footprint designed for modern machining environments.
Building on the success of the 15L, the new 15LX delivers significant performance upgrades. The spindle motor now provides 6 hp of continuous duty power and peaks up to 10 hp, giving machinists the torque needed for aggressive cuts in tough materials. Rapid feed rates have been increased from 60 inches per minute (IPM) to 360 IPM on both the X and Z axes, while Z-axis travel has been extended from 12 to 14 inches to accommodate a wider variety of parts. The lathe also introduces 23-bit absolute encoder servos across all axes and the turret, ensuring smoother motion, faster, more reliable tool changes and precise repeatability.
Key features of the 15LX include:
· 6 hp continuous spindle power and up to 10 hp peak for heavy cuts
· EtherCAT-based control system with integrated spindle encoder
· Rapid speeds up to 360 IPM on X and Z axes
· Extended 14-inch Z travel for greater part flexibility
· Compact footprint with improved chip and coolant evacuation system
· Includes 21.5-inch operator console with built-in WIFI
“The 15LX is an extremely capable lathe in a remarkably compact footprint,” said Tom Zelickman, Product Manager at Tormach. “It’s faster, more powerful and still easy to use.”
The 15LX comes standard with an enclosure, stand with chip tray, automatic oiler, turret and a redesigned flood coolant system featuring an external washdown hose. Additional upgrades include a single pulley ratio that eliminates manual gear changes and integrated load meters on both the axis and spindle for real-time performance monitoring.
“With this machine, we’ve doubled the spindle power, added absolute encoder servos across the platform and dramatically improved rapid speeds,” added Davie Froeschner, Presales Team Lead at Tormach. “These upgrades make it far more powerful than the 15L, and I expect its performance will take people by surprise when they see it operate.”
Designed and manufactured by employee-owners in the USA and Mexico and engineered for long-term flexibility, the 15LX supports turret or gang tooling, automated collet closing and parts-catching capabilities, while also accommodating accessories such as oil skimmers, air guns and updated gang tooling kits. Whether used for prototyping, small-batch production or as part of an integrated manufacturing system, the 15LX offers a balance of performance, efficiency and reliability that scales with growing customer needs and workflows.
The Tormach 15LX CNC Lathe will debut at the Manufacturing Technology Series Southwest Show in Dallas, Nov. 4-6 at Tormach booth #226, and will also be showcased at the 3DEXPERIENCE World Trade Show Feb 1-4, 2026, in Houston, TX.
