Lathe Machine
Lathe Machine
Turning is one of the most common of metal cutting operations. In turning, a workpiece is rotated about its axis as single-point cutting tools are fed into it, shearing away unwanted material and creating the desired part. Turning can occur on both external and internal surfaces to produce an axially-symmetrical contoured part.
Parts ranging from pocket watch components to large diameter marine propeller shafts can be turned on a lathe. The capacity of a lathe is expressed in two dimensions. The maximum part diameter, or "swing," and the maximum part length, or "distance between centers."
The general-purpose engine lathe is the most basic turning machine tool. As with all lathes, the two basic requirements for turning are a means of holding the work while it rotates and a means of holding cutting tools and moving them to the work.
The work may be held on one or by both its ends. Holding the work by one end involves gripping the work in one of several types of chucks or collets. Chucks are mounted on the spindle nose of the lathe, while collets usually seat in the spindle. The spindle is mounted in the lathe's "headstock," which contains the motor and gear train that makes rotation possible. Directly across from the headstock on the lathe is the "tailstock." The tailstock can hold the work by either a live or dead center. Work that is held at both ends is said to be
"between centers." Additionally, longer workpieces may have a "steady rest" mounted between the headstock and tailstock to support the work. Typically workpieces are cylindrical, but square and odd shaped stock can also be turned using special chucks or fixtures.
Lathe cutting tools brought to the work may move in one or more directions. Tool movement on the engine lathe is accomplished using a combination of the lathe's
"carriage", "cross slide", and "compound rest".
The carriage travels along the machine’s bedways, parallel to the workpiece axis. This axis
Turning is one of the most common of metal cutting operations. In turning, a workpiece is rotated about its axis as single-point cutting tools are fed into it, shearing away unwanted material and creating the desired part. Turning can occur on both external and internal surfaces to produce an axially-symmetrical contoured part.
Parts ranging from pocket watch components to large diameter marine propeller shafts can be turned on a lathe. The capacity of a lathe is expressed in two dimensions. The maximum part diameter, or "swing," and the maximum part length, or "distance between centers."
The general-purpose engine lathe is the most basic turning machine tool. As with all lathes, the two basic requirements for turning are a means of holding the work while it rotates and a means of holding cutting tools and moving them to the work.
The work may be held on one or by both its ends. Holding the work by one end involves gripping the work in one of several types of chucks or collets. Chucks are mounted on the spindle nose of the lathe, while collets usually seat in the spindle. The spindle is mounted in the lathe's "headstock," which contains the motor and gear train that makes rotation possible. Directly across from the headstock on the lathe is the "tailstock." The tailstock can hold the work by either a live or dead center. Work that is held at both ends is said to be
"between centers." Additionally, longer workpieces may have a "steady rest" mounted between the headstock and tailstock to support the work. Typically workpieces are cylindrical, but square and odd shaped stock can also be turned using special chucks or fixtures.
Lathe cutting tools brought to the work may move in one or more directions. Tool movement on the engine lathe is accomplished using a combination of the lathe's
"carriage", "cross slide", and "compound rest".
The carriage travels along the machine’s bedways, parallel to the workpiece axis. This axis