An automatic lathe (10) is provided with a first spindle (14) having an axis of rotation (14a), a first tool rest (18) capable of holding a plurality of tools (22) in a parallel arrangement, a second tool rest (20) capable of holding a plurality of tools (22) in parallel arrangements in a first row and second row exhibiting mutually different nose orientations, and a second spindle (16) having an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the first spindle and capable of being located facing the first spindle, in such a manner as to be centrally carried on a lathe bed (12). The first spindle can move linearly along a first control axis parallel to its axis of rotation. The first tool rest can move linearly along a second control axis perpendicular to the first control axis. The second tool rest can move linearly along a third control axis perpendicular to the first control axis and a fourth control axis parallel to the first control axis. The second spindle can move linearly along a fifth control axis parallel to the third control axis and a sixth control axis parallel to the first control axis. A control unit (106) enables simultaneous performance of first machining work relating to the first spindle by a desired tool selected at the first tool rest, second machining work relating to the first spindle by a desired tool selected from the first row at the second tool rest, and third machining work relating to the second spindle by a desired tool selected from the second row at the second tool rest.
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/381,193 filed Mar. 21, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,909, which is a .sctn.371 of PCT/JP00/06535, filed Sep. 22, 2000, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
