Manufacturing Processes
Lathe Machine
OBJECTIVE
After completing this unit, you should be able to:
• Identify the most important parts of the Lathe and their functions.
• Understand the Lathe safety rules.
• Describe setup a cutting tool for machining.
• Describe mount workpiece in the lathe.
• Explain how to install cutting tool.
• Describe the positioning the tool.
• Describe how to centering the workpiece and tailstock center.
Description
The lathe is a very versatile and important machine to know how to operate. This machine rotates a cylindrical object
against a tool that the individual controls. The lathe is the forerunner of all machine tools. The work is held and rotated on
its axis while the cutting tool is advanced along the line of a desired cut. The lathe is one of the most versatile machine tools
used in industry. With suitable attachments, the lather may be used for turning, tapering, form turning, screw cutting,
facing, dulling, boring, spinning, grinding, polishing operation. Cutting operations are performed with a cutting tool fed
either parallel or at right angles to the axis of the work. The cutting tool may also be fed at an angle, relative to the axis of
the work, for machining taper and angles. On a lathe, the tailstock does not rotate. Instead, the spindle that holds the stock
rotates. Collets, centers, three jaw chucks, and other work-holding attachments can all be held in spindle. The tailstock can
hold tools for drilling, threading, reaming, or cutting tapers. Additionally, it can support the end of the workpiece using a
center and can be adjusted to adapt to different workpiece lengths.
Figure 1. Parts of a lathe
- Power On/OfF
- Spindle Forward/Reverse (flip handle up or down)
- Carriage Handwheel
- Cross Feed Handwheel
- Compound Feed Handwheel
- Carriage/Cross Feed Engage
- Threading Half Nut
- Threading Dial
- Spindle Speed
- Brake
- Spindle High/Low Range
- Thread/Feed Reverse (push in/pull out)
- Feed Ranges (A, B, C)
- Feed Ranges (R, S, T)
- Feed Ranges (V, W, X, Y, Z) - V and Z are settings for threading
- Gear Box
- Gear Box Low/High
- Tailstock
- Tool Post
- Toolholder
- Three - Jaw Chuck
- DRO (Digital Read Out) Threading/Feed Selector