A Smarter Way to Machine Complex Parts: Inside the UAS Metron Horizontal Mill-Turn 

On our latest shop-floor visit, Andrew Hecker from Concept met with Chris Bird from Yuasa to take a closer look at a machine that stands out for all the right reasons: the Metron Horizontal Mill-Turn Center. If you’re in a shop that needs to machine complex parts, this system delivers a refreshing mix of capability, clever engineering, and true hands-off productivity.

A Horizontal Machining Center With a Twist 

At first glance, the Metron looks like a standard horizontal platform—but once you see it run, it’s clear this machine plays in its own category.  The Metron includes an integrated bar feeder with up to 3-inch capacity, allowing shops to load 3-foot bar lengths directly into the machine. From there, the first drive fully encapsulates the entire bar and can rotate it through an impressive 360,000 indexable positions. That gives you the freedom to hit angled features, drill unique geometries, and handle milling operations without juggling multiple setups. 

Front Side, Back Side, All Sides—Done in One 

After the first set of operations, the Metron’s built-in cutoff saw separates the finished section of the bar. A second drive then takes over, retrieving the part to complete all back-side machining.  The result? True six-side machining inside one enclosure, with no manual intervention, no secondary ops, and no guesswork.  Both drives also feature 3000 RPM turning, making the Metron equally capable as a milling center and a high-speed turning platform.   

Automation Built In, Not Bolted On 

One standout feature is the way the machine handles finished parts. To keep the process moving smoothly, a small pick-and-place unit transfers each completed piece onto an outfeed conveyor, ensuring a clean, consistent workflow. When paired with integrated bar feeding, the result is a machine that’s practically designed for lights-out machining. Simply load a batch of bars, hit cycle start, and let the Metron take it from there.   

Perfect for Shops That Run Complex Work 

The Metron is especially well-suited for: 

• Job shops handling lower volumes and high part variation 

• Medical components with multi-surface features 

• Aerospace and automotive parts requiring tight tolerances 

• Fluid power and connector components 

• Any operation where milling + turning + odd angles are the daily norm 

If your parts require attention from multiple machines today, the Metron brings those operations together in one efficient, reliable system.   

A Machine Designed for Real-World Productivity 

In industries where time, precision, and floor space matter, the Metron offers a simple promise: load bars, machine complex parts on every surface, unload finished parts, and repeat. As a result, shops gain a streamlined process that reduces handling and eliminates unnecessary steps. Ultimately, it’s a practical, powerful solution for manufacturers that want more capability—without adding complexity to their workflow.