Fives Giddings & Lewis Integrated Contouring Head

The Fives Giddings & Lewis Integrated Contouring Head (ICH) transforms large horizontal boring mills and machining centers into versatile, multitasking machining systems. Its programmable U-axis radial slide moves the cutting tool in and out relative to the spindle centerline, enabling precision turning, facing, grooving, threading, and contour machining across a range of diameters—all without changing heads.

Combined with the machine's primary milling and boring spindle, the ICH allows complex components to be machined in a single setup, reducing handling, setup time, and production costs while improving dimensional accuracy and overall productivity.

More operations in one setup. Less handling. Greater precision. Lower cost per part.

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The Integrated Contouring Head provides manufacturers with the flexibility to tackle challenging geometries and demanding machining requirements on large, high-value workpieces. The programmable U-axis controls radial tool movement, allowing the machine to generate precise diameters, tapers, shoulders, and contoured surfaces while maintaining coordinated motion with the other machine axes.

This capability is particularly valuable for large components used in power generation, energy, aerospace, and heavy industrial equipment, where intricate features and tight tolerances can make conventional machining approaches time-consuming and costly.

The ICH accepts standard modular tooling, compatible with the machine's automatic toolchanger, while the main spindle accommodates its own range of milling, boring, and specialized tooling. This integrated approach simplifies machining sequences, reduces manual intervention, and enables more complex parts to be completed efficiently within a single setup.

The result: greater automation, more flexible machining strategies, and improved productivity when manufacturing large, complex components.

By expanding the range of operations available on a single machine, the ICH gives manufacturers greater control over process planning, tooling strategy, and production scheduling. It also reduces reliance on specialized equipment for individual operations, helping maximize the value of existing machine-tool investments.

One machine. Expanded process capability. Greater manufacturing flexibility.

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