Helix Y

Helix Series: 2050 Y | 2550 Y

Helix Series machines feature a single-piece inclined bed with heavy-duty LM guideways for rigidity and precise ball screws for accuracy. A standard BMT 65 servo turret, parallel spindle-turret-tailstock axes, and newest turning-mill technology enable higher depth of cut.

Watch Helix Y in Action!

Horizontal lathes

Have Any Questions?

Let us tell you more about Helix Y. Feel free to reach out to us anytime.

Standard Features

  • LM guide-ways for all axis – Class H
  • High Precision ball screws- Class C3
  • Belt-driven spindle
  • AC servo drives for spindle & axis
  • Linear & circular interpolation
  • Laser calibration & Ball bar tested
  • Rigid taping
  • 12-station hydraulic turret
  • Tool display
  • Rigid tap retraction push button
  • 3 jaw self-centering chuck
  • Solid rotary cylinder
  • Tail-stock with programable quill
  • Coolant tank with chip tray
  • Machine lamp
  • Operations indication lamp-3 color
  • AC unit for electrical cabinet
  • Centralised lubrication system
  • Maintenance tool kit

Unique Features

  • Monoblock construction of bed cum saddle with an inclined angle of 45 deg for Helix and (30 + 45) deg for Helix with Y – axis
  • Highest bar capacity 65 | 75 | 90
  • BMT 65- Base mount type servo turret of 12 stations
  • All 12 stations can be used for live tool applications
  • Swivel operator panel for operator easiness
  • Lesser loading height from the floor and lesser distance from the door for clamping heavy components
  • Basic TPM features

Optional Features

  • 2 & 4 jaw self-centering chuck
  • Collet chuck
  • Hollow cylinder
  • Pneumatic operated Auto door
  • Chip conveyor with chip bin
  • Door safety limit switch
  • Bar feeder
  • Part catcher
  • Steady rest
  • Tool probe
  • Work probe
  • Automation solutions
  • Tooled-up solutions

Specification Details

Helix Series
Helix 2050 Y
Helix 2550 Y
Mandrel size (mm)
250
250
Maximum turning diameter (on mandrel, mm)
240
240
Maximum turning diameter (between the points, mm)
280
280
Maximum piece diameter at positions (mm)
140
140
Axes X / Z (mm)
200 / 525
200 / 525
Axis Y (mm)
+/- 50
+/- 50
Turning tool speed (rpm)
4000
4000
BMT65 turret – number of stations
12
12
Turning tool power (kW)
4.5 / 5.6
4.5 / 5.6
Max. envelope volume (diameter × length, mm)
240 × 500
240 × 485

Other horizontal lathes

Neo+

Designed with unrivaled rigidity, high productivity and reliability for a variety of part configurations.

Helix

Helix series features The single piece inclined bed and servo turret of BMT 65 solutions.

PL 500

To meet the requirements of heavy engineering industries for high-end solutions.

PL 600

To meet the requirements of heavy engineering industries for high-end solutions.

Helix Y

Helix series features The single piece inclined bed and servo turret of BMT 65 solutions.

Join our global network of over 65,000 machine installations

Contact us online or join us at one of our events to explore potential partnerships and collaborations. Our custom solutions are manufactured using cutting-edge technologies and the latest methodologies.

Trusted by organisations across the globe

What is Helix Y?

Helix Y is BFW Europe’s horizontal turning-mill center series designed for shops that need both turning and milling capability in one compact, rigid platform. Built on the Helix architecture, Helix Y adds Y-axis functionality for more flexible machining, making it easier to complete complex parts with fewer setups and more consistent feature-to-feature accuracy.

The Helix Y series includes Helix 2050 Y and Helix 2550 Y, covering common production and job shop requirements where turn-mill capability, stable cutting, and repeatable output matter.

Key advantages of the Helix Y series

Turn-mill capability for fewer setups

Helix Y is positioned as a turning-mill center that combines turning and milling technologies. For many parts, this reduces the need to move workpieces between machines, helping improve alignment between features and supporting faster overall throughput.

Rigid structure designed for deeper cuts

Helix Y machines are built with a single-piece inclined bed that integrates the saddle, paired with heavy-duty linear motion guideways for rigidity and high-precision ball screws for accuracy. The platform is designed to support rigid machining solutions and higher depth of cut where stability and surface finish are priorities.

BMT 65 servo turret for dynamic, precise operations

Helix Y is supplied with a BMT 65 base-mount type servo turret with 12 stations as standard. The spindle, turret, and tailstock axes are arranged in parallel, supporting a more rigid machining layout.

A key advantage for turn-mill work is that all 12 stations can be used for live tooling, giving flexibility for drilling, milling, and secondary operations without compromising tool availability.

Y-axis travel for more flexible machining

Helix Y includes a Y-axis for applications that benefit from off-center milling, slotting, and multi-operation cycles without additional fixtures. The Helix Y product specification lists Y-axis travel at ±50 mm for both Helix 2050 Y and Helix 2550 Y.

Shopfloor usability and part-handling ergonomics

Helix Y highlights practical usability features such as a swivel operator panel, reduced loading height from the floor, and a shorter reach from the door for clamping heavy components. These details help reduce handling friction and improve day-to-day workflow.

Helix Y configurations

Standard platform foundation

Helix Y includes a production-ready standard configuration focused on stability, repeatability, and daily reliability.

  • LM guideways for all axes (Class H) and high-precision ball screws (Class C3)

  • Belt-driven spindle and AC servomotors for spindle and axes

  • Linear and circular interpolation, plus laser calibration and ball bar testing

  • Rigid tapping with a rigid tap retraction button

  • 12-position turret, tool display, and programmable tailstock quill

  • 3-jaw self-centering chuck with solid rotary cylinder

  • Coolant tank with chip tray, machine lamp, and 3-colour operation indication lamp

  • AC for the electrical cabinet, centralized lubrication system, and maintenance toolkit

Unique features

Helix Y highlights a set of characteristics that differentiate the platform for turn-mill workflows.

  • Monoblock bed construction with integrated saddle, with an inclined bed geometry listed as 30° + 45° for the Helix series with Y-axis

  • Maximum bar capacity listed across the Helix family as 65 / 75 / 90 mm

  • BMT 65 base-mount type servo turret with 12 stations

  • All 12 turret stations usable for live tools

  • Basic TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) features designed to support practical shopfloor upkeep

Optional features

Helix Y can be configured with options to expand workholding flexibility, chip control, probing, and production workflow.

  • 2- and 4-jaw self-centering chuck options

  • Collet chuck and hollow cylinder options

  • Pneumatic automatic door and door safety switch

  • Chip conveyor with chip bin

  • Bar feeder and part catcher

  • Steady rest for long-part support

  • Tool probe and work probe

  • Automation solutions and tooled-up solutions

Typical applications

Helix Y is designed for turning and milling in a single setup where stability and repeatability improve production outcomes.

Common application fit includes:

  • Turned parts that also require milling features, flats, keyways, or cross-holes

  • Multi-operation components where reducing setups improves accuracy and throughput

  • General engineering and production parts where turn-mill flexibility reduces handling and improves consistency

Conclusion

Helix Y is a horizontal turning-mill center series built for rigid machining and flexible multi-operation production. With a single-piece inclined bed and saddle design, Class H guideways, Class C3 ball screws, a standard BMT 65 12-station servo turret with live tooling on all stations, and Y-axis capability listed at ±50 mm, Helix Y is designed to help manufacturers complete more work in fewer setups while maintaining repeatable, stable output.

Product enquiry