How Much Do You Know About Lathes?
Generally a lathe is a machine tool which spins a block of material to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling or deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece. An object is created that has symmetry with an axis of rotation.
Today we have CNC lathes that are rapidly replacing older lathes due to their ease of setting up and operation. They are designed to use modern carbide tooling and processes. A part can be designed by the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) process and the corresponding file is then uploaded to the lathe. After being set and trialled the lathe continues to turn out parts under the occasional supervision of an operator. The machine is controlled electronically by a computer menu style interface. The program may be modified and displayed at the machine together with a simulated view of the process.
The setter or operator should be skilled in the whole process. However, the knowledge base is broader compared to the older production machines. Before, intimate knowledge of each machine was considered essential. Now these machines are often set and operated by the same person.
The design of a CNC lathe has greatly changed, though some of the main principles and parts have remained unchanged. The turret holds the tools and indexes them as needed. The machines are generally totally enclosed according to occupational health and safety issues.
For work requiring accuracy a Swiss-style lathe is used. This lathe holds the workpiece with a collet and a guide bushing. The collet sits behind the guide bushing and the tools sit in front of the guide bushing holding stationary on the Z axis. To cut lengthwise along the part, the tools will move in and the material itself will move back and forth along the Z axis. As a result the work is done on the material near the guide bushing. This is ideal for working on slender workpieces as the part is held firmly with little chance of deflection or vibration.
A combination lathe (also known as 3-in-1 machine) performs drilling or milling operations into the design. These machines have a milling column rising up above the lathe bed, and they utilize the carriage and topslide as the X and Y axes for the milling column. These machines are capable of high accuracy and may also be found in small, non-machine oriented businesses.
Mini and macro lathes are small versions of an engine lathe. They have swings of 3″ and 7″ diameters. Because of their small sizes they are affordable for the home workshop or MRO shop.
Lathes have always performed a great role in the history of machinery but nothing can be compared with today’s developed and functional lathes.
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