There are several reasons for the cost of the LICO Machinery equipment. First, the LICO machines have 4 or 5 channels of 2 to 3 axes each channel. Each axis requires its own set of ball screws and drives; therefore, the machine has many more sets of ways, slides, ball screws, motors, and drives than a 2-axis lathe, or even a twin spindle/twin turret machine. This is what enable you to get multiple tools in the cut. The comparable equipment out there is an ABC Index (cross slide models) or TNM Traub. Cost comparison with these machines (and the LICO is capable of more versatility) will show the LICO to be priced at one half to one third the cost of the Index or Traub. In addition, the LICO series is priced with a lot of features for which you will pay extra with other machine builders. The LICO machines come standard with: high pressure coolant (1,000 psi), bar feed interface, tool holders for all cross slides and turret, two (each) live radial and axial tool holders, chip conveyor, parts conveyor, collet chucks. That can amount to $25k or more of options on many machines. As a potential customer once described at IMTS, "This is the only machine that can get three or more tools in the cut in this price range at the show." If the customer is machining production quantities from bar, the LICO machines will generally produce those parts with the best ROI in the industry.