LATHE MACHINE
athe is a power driven machine tool used to cut and remove the metal
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from a piece of work to the required shape and size.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF LATHE MACHINE
1 ) Engine lathe
2) Turret lathe
3) Capstan lathe
4) Tracer/copy lathe
5) Tool room lathe
6) CNC Lathe
CNC LATHE
● omputer Numerical Controls (CNC).
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● On- line and off- line programming available.
● Multiple axis Movement.
● Performs several operations on different surfaces of the work
piece.
ENGINE LATHE
Most frequently used lathe
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● Work piece generally hold between centers
● Heavy duty
● Power drive for most tool movements
MAIN PARTS OF LATHE MACHINE
1 . Bed
2. Head Stock.
3. Tail Stock.
4. Carriage
5. Quick change gear box.
BED
1 .Supports all the components.
[Link] to support working parts.
HEAD STOCK
1 .Holds the jaw,supplies power to the jaws.
2. It holds the spindle and is fitted with the chucks.
[Link]’s also called livecentre.
TAIL STOCK
1 .Tailstock has a tapered spindle to hold the object.
[Link]’s also called dead centre or nonrotating centre.
CARRIAGE
1 .Supports and moves the cutting tool along the bed of the lathe.
[Link] in both manual and automatic feed operations.
[Link] of several parts: saddle, cross-slide, compound rest, tool post,
and apron.
QUICK CHANGE GEAR BOX
1 .Transmits motion from the headstock to the feed rod and lead screw.
[Link] index chart or plate is attached at the front of the gear box to
control and maintain the feed and TPI by swiftly moving the lever
attached with the gear box.
HOW CAN YOU SPECIFY A LATHE MACHINE??
hesize of a lathe machineis designated based onthemaximum
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dimensions of the workpieceit can accommodate.
( A) Swing over the bed:this specifies the maximumdiameter of the job
that can be turned in the lathe machine, generally restricted to small
length jobs.
(B) Distance between centres: this would be specifyingthe maximum
length of the job that can be turned in the lathe.
(C) Length of the bed:this specifies the movementof the carriage
lengthwise as well as the length of the lathe.
(D) Swing over the cross slide: this specifies themaximum diameter of
the job that can be machined by the lathe machine with the job across
the cross slide, which is generally the case.
Additional Parameters Sometimes Included:
(a) horsepower of the motor
(b) cutting speed range
(c) feed range
(d) screw cutting capacity
(e) accuracy achievable
(f) spindle nose diameter
FEED
eed is the distance that the tool moves per revolution of the
F
[Link] is the distance the point of the tool moves along the bed
with each revolution of the lathe. It depends on the cutting speed, depth
of cut, work material, condition of the lathe (unit- mm/rev).
DEPTH OF CUT
epth of cut is the distance from the bottom of the cut to the uncut
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surface of the workpiece measured at right angles to the machined
surface.
t=(D-d)/2 mm
CUTTING SPEED
utting speed is defined as the distance the workpiece rotates and past
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the cutting point in one minute as measured on the circumference (unit-
unit length/min)
In other words the length of the chip measured in feet that will be
removed per minute.
It depends on the type of tool and workpiece material, size of the work
piece and desired accuracy, use of cutting fluid.
LATHE OPERATIONS:
URNING:
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Turning is a machining process in which a cutting tool removes material
from the external surface of a rotating workpiece, producing a
cylindrical shape.
FACING:
acing is a lathe operation used to produce a flat surface at the end of a
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rotating workpiece by feeding the cutting tool perpendicular to the axis
of rotation.
DRILLING:
acing is a lathe operation that removes material from the end of a
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rotating workpiece to create a flat surface. The tool moves perpendicular
to the axis of rotation, and the process is commonly used to square ends
or prepare the surface for further operations.
BORING:
oring is a method of rounding and straightening a hole with a single
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point cutting [Link] method is also used to cut odd size or very large
holes.
REAMING:
Reaming is done to improve the accuracy and finish a hole.
THREADING:
hreading is a lathe machining process used to produce screw
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threads—either external (on the outside of a rod) or internal (inside a
hole). It is achieved by cutting a helical groove on the surface of a
rotating workpiece using a single-point threading tool.
KNURLING:
nurling is a process of pressing a diamond shaped or straight line
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pattern into the surface of a workpiece . It is not a cutting operation.
Accessories of a Lathe Machine
ccessories are the tools and equipment used in routine lathe machine
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operations.
Lathe accessories can be divided into two categories –
i) Work holding, supporting and driving devices-
1. Lathe centers, chucks,
2. Mandrels, steady and follower rests
[Link] dogs, drive plates, faceplates
ii) Cutting tool holding devices-
1. Straight and offset tool holders
[Link] tool holders, boring bars
[Link]-type tool posts
LATHE CENTER:
here are two types of centers-
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(i) live center:
A center which fits into the headstock spindle and revolves with the
work is called a live center.
(ii) dead center:
The center which is used in a tailstock spindle and doesn’t revolve but
support the free end of the workpiece is called dead center.
CHUCKS:
hucks are an important device used for holding work pieces.
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There are many type of the chuck, but the following three are commonly
used –
i. Three jaw universal chuck
ii. Four jaw independent chuck
iii. Magnetic chuck
iv. Collet chuck
Three jaw universal chuck Four jaw independent chuck
he three jaw can move by
T he independent chuck generally
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inserting the chuck key at any of has four jaws , which are adjusted
the 3- holes on the periphery of individually on the chuck face by
the chuck means of adjusting screws
he 3- jaw moves in the same
T ach of the jaw moves in different
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direction with the same velocity. direction by inserting the chuck
key at the respective jaw hole
he centre of the jobs
T he centre of the jobs need to be
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automatically established determined by the operators
enerally used for holding
G enerally used for holding
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cylindrical and hexagonal work rectangular, square or
pieces asymmetrical objects
DRIVE PLATE:
he drive plate is a circular plate which is bored out and threaded so that
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it can be attached to the spindle nose of the head stoke and the w/p is
attached by a lathe dog to the drive plate.
It also carries a hole for the pin which is used only when the work is
held in a lathe dog having a straight tail.
When a bent tail dog is used, this pin is taken out and the bent portion
of the tail is inserted into the hole .
FACE PLATE:
he faceplate is similar to drive plate except that it is larger in
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[Link] contains more open slots or T-slots so that bolts may be used
to damp the work piece to the face of the plate.
The face plate is used for holding work pieces directly which cannot be
conveniently held in a chuck by using a bolt or screw.
MANDRELS:
he lathe mandrel is a cylindrical bar with a center hole at each end.
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It is used to hold hollow workpieces to machine their external
[Link] workpiece revolves with the mandrel which is mounted
between the center of the lathe.
LEAD SCREW:
● Used tomove the carriage automatically during threadcutting
operations.
● Providesprecise and synchronized movementof thecarriage
with the spindle rotation.
● Engaged using thehalf-nut leverduring threading.
✅ Essential for producingaccurate threadson a workpiece.
LATHE DOG:
● Used totransmit rotary motion from the spindle (via drive
plate or faceplate) to the workpiece.
● Commonly used whenturning between centers.
● It grips the workpiece and connects it to thedriveplate, ensuring
it rotates with the spindle.
✅
Crucial forturning jobs held between centers, where
chucks aren't used.
Taper turning Operations:
utting tapers on a lathe is a common application. Tapers can be done
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by the following methods-
(a) using a compound slide
(b) using form tools
(c) offsetting the tailstock
(d) using taper turning attachment
( a) Using a compound rest
The compound rest is underneath the tool post. The base of the
compound rest can be swiveled to any desired angle of the taper. The
tool is then made perpendicular to the work piece and feed is given
manually.
ome of the features of this method are:
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(i) Short and steep tapers can be easily done
(iii Limited movement of the compound rest
(iii) Feeding is by hand and non-uniform.
( b) Using form tools
A broad nose tool having straight cutting edge (form tool) is set on to the
work at half taper angle, and is fed straight into the work to generate a
tapered surface. In this method the tool angle is set or manufactured
before use. This method is limited to turning a short length of taper only.
Tool will require excessive cutting pressure which may distort the work
due to vibration and spoil the work surface.
( c) Offsetting the tailstock
The principle of turning taper by this method is to shift the axis of
rotation of the workpiece, at an angle to the lathe axis, and feeding the
tool parallel to the lathe axis. The angle at which the axis of rotation of
the work piece is shifted is equal to half the angle of the taper. This
method is suitable for turning small tapers on long jobs. The main
disadvantage of this method is that the live and dead centers are not
equally stressed and the wear is not uniform.
( d) Using taper turning attachment
The principle of turning taper by a taper attachment is to guide the tool
in a straight path set at an angle to the axis of rotation of the workpiece.
A taper turning attachment consists essentially of a bracket or frame
which is attached to the rear end of the lathe bed and supports a guide
bar pivoted at the centre. The plate having graduations in degrees may
be swiveled on either side of the zero graduation and is set at the desired
angle with the lathe axis. As the carriage moves along the bed, a slide
over the bar causes the tool to move in or out according to the taper
angle setup. The guide plate must be set at half taper angle and the taper
on the work must be converted in degrees.
.What is the purpose of using a lead screw, lathe dog,
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faceplate, and carriage in a lathe machine?
ere is a clear explanation of thepurpose of usinga lead screw, lathe
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dog, faceplate, and carriagein alathe machine:
1. 🧵 Lead Screw
Purpose:
● Used tomove the carriage automatically during threadcutting
operations.
● Providesprecise and synchronized movementof thecarriage
with the spindle rotation.
● Engaged using thehalf-nut leverduring threading.
✅ Essential for producingaccurate threadson a workpiece.
2. 🐶 Lathe Dog
Purpose:
● Used totransmit rotary motion from the spindle (viadrive
plate or faceplate) to the workpiece.
● Commonly used whenturning between centers.
● It grips the workpiece and connects it to thedrive plate, ensuring
it rotates with the spindle.
✅
Crucial forturning jobs held between centers, where
chucks aren't used.
3. 🎯 Faceplate
Purpose:
● A flat circular plate mounted to thelathe spindlenose.
● Used tohold irregular-shaped or large workpiecesthat cannot
be held in a chuck.
● Workpieces areclamped to the faceplateusing boltsthrough its
T-slots or open slots.
✅
Ideal for jobs that arenon-cylindrical or have
non-standard shapes.
4. 🚗 Carriage
Purpose:
● Supports andmoves the cutting tool along the bedof the lathe.
● Used in bothmanual and automatic feed operations.
● Consists of several parts:saddle, cross-slide, compound rest, tool
post, and apron.
✅
Enablescontrolled cuttingduring turning, facing,
threading, etc.
[Link] is the size of a lathe machine designated?
hesize of a lathe machineis designated based onthemaximum
T
dimensions of the workpieceit can accommodate. Thesedimensions
help users select a lathe that fits their specific machining requirements.
🛠️ Main Parameters Used for Size Designation
1. 🔘 Swing Over Bed
○ Themaximum diameter of a workpiecethat can be rotated
over thelathe bed.
○ It defines the largest workpiece that can be machined without
hitting the bed.
○ 📐Example: If swing over bed = 400 mm → max job
diameter = 400 mm
2. 🧭 Distance Between Centers
○ Themaximum length of the workpiecethat can be held
between theheadstock and tailstock centers.
○ It determines themaximum turning length.
3. 🛏️ Length of Bed
○ Total length of the lathe bed; affects carriage movement and
overall machine capacity.
4. 🔘 Swing Over Cross Slide
○ Maximum diameter of the workpiece that can rotateabove
the cross slide.
○ It is smaller than the swing over bed due to tool post and
slide height.
🔍 Additional Parameters Sometimes Included:
● Motor horsepower (HP)
● Spindle speed range (RPM)
● Feed range (mm/rev)
● Screw cutting capacity (threads per inch or mm)
● Spindle bore diameter
● Machine weight and dimensions
[Link] between turning and dressing.
🔍 Difference Between Turning and Dressing
Aspect Turning Dressing
Definition machining process to
A maintenance process
A
remove material from a torestore the cutting
rotating workpieceto create surfaceof agrinding
acylindrical shape. wheel.
ool/Surfac W
T orkpiece (metal, plastic, rinding wheel
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e Worked etc.) (abrasive tool)
On
achine
M Lathe machine Grinding machine
Used
Purpose o shape or size the
T osharpen,true, and
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workpiece with precision. cleanthe grinding
wheel.
Type of Tool Single-point cutting tool ressing tool (diamond
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dresser, star wheel
dresser, etc.)
Output ylindrical or conical
C estored grinding wheel
R
finished parts surface
aterial
M Fromworkpiece Fromgrinding wheel
Removed
Frequency egular part of machining
R ccasional maintenance
O
process operation
✅ In Short:
● Turningis ametal cutting operationdone on a lathe.
● Dressingis awheel maintenance operationdone ona grinder.