Lathe machine is a type of machine tool or it can be said that it is a production machine tool. It is Use to remove metals from the work piece through lathe machine. So that the work piece can get a desired shape or size.
Removal of metal from the work piece is called secondary operation and many types of such secondary operations are done by lathe machine. Because this is one of the main functions of the lathe machine.
This machine is consider very useful in industries. Lathe machine is an ancient machine tool. Which has been use in industries for a long time.
Compared to all the standard machine tools, the lathe machine is a very versatile machine tool. But The lathe machine is usually operated manually.
Types of Lathe Machine.
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Lathe machine can be divide into the following types.
- Center lathes or engine lathes
- Speed lathes
- Capstan lathes or turret lathes
- Tool room lathes
- Bench lathes
- Automatic lathes
- Special lathes
- CNC lathes.
So here is some important information about it and its types. But it also has some basic principles. Which you should know. So let’s know about its basic principle.
What is the basic principle of lathe machine?
Out of machine tools, this machine tool is a very important machine tool. Because it is use in the metallurgical industry. It works on the principle of rotating work piece and fixed cutting tool. In this, the metal body rotates on an axis and it is given a proper shape by applying tools for cutting, piercing and other activities as per the requirement.
So in this way its basic principle is. But , What is the basic lathe operation? If you do not know, then no problem, let’s know this too. The basic lathe operation are :-
- Turning
- Facing, grooving
- Parting
- Threading
- Drilling
- Boring
- Knurling, and Tapping
But it has some main parts, by the way there are many parts. But here we will tell you about its only 4 main parts because these 4 main parts are very important. So , What are the four 4 main parts of Lathe Machine? Let’s know.
The 4 main parts of a lathe machine’s :-
- The bed
- Headstock
- Carriage
- and tailstock.
So let’s know about all these in detail.
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The bed
The beds in this lathe machines are made of single piece cast iron. And this bed is the base of this machine. All parts of this machine remain bolted on the bed. Along with this, guideways are also placed on the bed. Because the guideways fixed in the bed guide the tail stock and carriage.
Headstock
Headstock remains on the left side of the lathe machine. Its job is to hold the gear train, main spindle, chuck, gear speed control levers. Also the headstock holds the feed controllers. Apart from this, power can also be transmitted through the headstock. From the headstock to the feed rod, lead screw and thread cutting mechanism, everything is made of cast iron.
Carriage
Carriage is located between headstock and tailstock and Its job is to carry apron, saddle, compound rest, cross slide, and tool post.
Tailstock
The tailstock is located on the right side of the lathe machine. When work is done on the work piece, tailstock will be used to support it. Because unless any support is given on the work piece, no work can be done on it. And it supports the work piece from one end i.e. from the right end.
So these are its 4 main parts but there are other parts too, let’s know that too.
- Saddle
- Cross-slide
- Compound rest
- Tool Post
- Apron
- Lead screw
- Feed rod
- Chuck
- Main spindle
- Leg
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Saddle
The saddle is a part of the carriage itself. And also it slides into the side of the bed. Along with this, the saddle also supports cross slide, compound rest and tool.
Cross-slide
It is the work of cross-slide to provide cutting action to the tool. The action of the cutting tool is perpendicular to the center line of the lathe machine. And it is a component found on the top of a lathe that allows the tool bit to slide back and forth.
Compound rest
The compound rest is present on top of the cross slide and it supports the cutting tool in different positions apart from the tool post. It is designed in such a way that it can be rotated in any desired direction in the horizontal plane. Also which makes it suitable for turning angles and enables it to cut tapers. And its base is circular, due to which it provides swilling motion.
Tool post
The topmost part of the carriage is called the tool post. It keeps the tool and the tool holder in one place i.e. holds it in one position.
Apron
The apron is tied to the saddle and hangs in front of the bed. The apron also has gears and clutches that allow the apron to transmit motion from the feed road to the carriage. And the split nut that engages the lead screw when cutting threads.
Lead screw
When threading operation is to be done on a lathe, lead screw is used at that time. And the lead screw is use to move the carriage of the lathe in time with the rotation of the spindle. It is used to form threads by having different gearing between the spindle and the drive for the lead screw. As we know that threading operation requires rotational movement of the job (workpiece) and linear movement of the tool (tool post).
Feed rod
The feed rod is a power transmitting device and is use in the longitudinal axis of the lathe. So that precise linear movement of the carriage along the longitudinal axis of the lathe is possible. In some lathe machines, lead screw is use instead of feed rod.
Chuck
The auxiliary device of the lathe machine, which is used to hold the job, chucks are basically used to hold workpieces, especially those of short length and large diameter or of irregular shape, that cannot be easily clamped between centers. It can be attached to the lathe by screwing it onto the spindle nose. This part is fitted in the spindle mounted on the lathe machine head stock.
Main spindle
A hollow cylindrical shaft is present in the machine, which is called Main Spindle. All the long jobs have to be worked using the main spindle. All those long jobs can be passed. It is design in such a way that it does not allow the spindle to deflect due to the thrust of the cutting tool.
Leg
An important part of the lathe machine is the leg. The lathe machine remains stable at its place through this leg. Because the leg carries the entire weight of the lathe machine on itself. The leg is fixed in one place with the help of bolts with the ground. So that the lathe machine can stand firmly in one place.
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Who is the father of lathe machine?
The father of lathe machine is Henry Maudslay. Maudslay was born on Aug. 22 , 1771, in kent , Eng . and died Feb. 14 , 1831 in London. He was a British engineer and inventor of the metal lathe and other tools.
So this is the father of the lathe machine. But do you know lathe machine is also called machine tool. so let’s know , Why lathe is called a machine tool?
To make any mechanical product or to make any other machine tool, it was believed that the operation on the lathe is essential. And it is also consider a traditional form. Also because of its immense capacity, people associated with the metal-working field prefer to name the lathe as a machine tool. Because of this reason lathe is called a machine tool.
Uses of lathe machine.
Lathe is use to perform many operations in the machine. Secondary operations are usually done with a lathe machine. Mentioned below are some of the operations that are performed on a lathe machine. So let’s know.
- Facing
- Turning
- Counter turning
- Form turning
- Taper turning
- Chafing
- Cut off parting
- Boring
- Threading
- Drilling and
- Knurling, etc. operations are done।
But , where are lathes used? so let’s know. The lathe machine is mainly used in woodturning, metal working, metal spinning, thermal spraying, reclamation and glass-working.
How many types of lathe tools are there?
The lathe machine tools can be classified into different categories. The most common classifications include :
Use:
- turning tool,
- boring tool,
- chamfering tool,
- grooving tool, etc.
Material:
- high-speed steel tool,
- carbide tool,
- diamond blade,
- other materials, etc. So these are the lathe machine tools.
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What is CNC lathe machine?
First of all CNC stands for computer numerical control. CNC lathe machine there is such a machine that turns material around a central spindle and stationary cutting tool.
Through this machine your material’s movement is dictated by coded instructions fed through a computer rather than operated with manual labour. For this reason it is a wonderful machine which will get your work done in less effort.
Then you must have got your answer , What is CNC lathe machine? , What is full form of CNC? So let’s know a little more about CNC. Which is very important for you.
As it is known from the full form of CNC(Computer Numerical Control) that, CNC is a control system that controls working tools on an electronic digital computer. It controls, optimizes and records the objects moving by the machine. This can be a router, grinder, laser cutter, welder, milling machine, etc.
Why is it called CNC?
It is called CNC because a modern basis for manufacturing and production is computer numerical control, or CNC. Which is a machine used to replace handcrafted techniques and increase accuracy. Due to which, in today’s time, through CNC lathe machine, work is being done automatically and very accurately.
But do you know who is the father of CNC?
The father of CNC is John T. Parsons. He developed the first numerical control system. When he was working as a mechanist in his father’s company and it was time 1940s.
Which language is used in CNC?
The language used in CNC is called G-code. G-code is the language that CNC machines understand. But , What is a G-code? So let’s know about it.
What is a G-code?
G-code means “Geometric Code” and it is a programming language used in CNC i.e Computer Numerical Control machine. To tell a machine what to do or how to do it, we have to tell the machine through this language.
The G-code commands instruct the machine where to move, how fast to move and what path to follow. But if you work in CNC without G-code it will not work. So you must have understood what is G-code. So let’s now know who invented G code?
Who invented G code?
G-Code invented or designed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its first edition was published in 1950s and it is also its first published. And its file name extensions are G-code, .mpt, .mpf, .nc and many more.
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What are the advantages of a lathe?
- Its first advantage is that High accuracy and fast operation.
- Can do work in less time and less operator.
- Lathe machines have been refer to as the ‘mother of all machining tools’ because it offers an unrivalled range of purpose.
What is the disadvantage of lathe machine?
- Due to this huge machine, a lot of space is require to keep it.
- And sometimes it also requires a lot of fitting and attachment.
So this is some important information about lathe machine and its types, we are sure that you got to know and understand a lot. So share this to your friends too.