K i n g F a h d U n i v e r s i t y o f P e t r ol e u m a n d M i n e r a l s Hafr-Al-Batin Community College Hand out # 13

MET-276 Machining Technology

LATHE MACHINES

Lathes
A lathe is a machine tool that rotates the workpiece against a tool. The spindle is the part of the lathe that rotates. It is driven by an electric motor through a system of belt drives and gear trains. Its rotational speed is controlled by varying the geometry of the drive train. Work Holding Devices Various work holding attachments such as three jaw chucks, collets, and centers can be held in the spindle. Work is held in the lathe with a number of methods, Between two centres. The workpiece is driven by a device called a dog; this method is suitable for parts with high length-to-diameter ratio. A 3 jaw self-centering chuck is used for most operations on cylindrical work-parts. For parts with high length-to-diameter ratio the part is supported by center on the other end. Collet consists of tubular bushing with longitudinal slits. Collets are used to grasp and hold bar stock. A collet of exact diameter is required to match any bar stock diameter. A face plate is a device used to grasp parts with irregular shapes.

Figure 1 Four work holding methods used in lathes: (a) mounting the work between centres using a dog, (b) three-jaw chuck, (c) collet, and (d) face plate for non-cylindrical work-parts.

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K i n g F a h d U n i v e r s i t y o f P e t r ol e u m a n d M i n e r a l s Hafr-Al-Batin Community College Hand out # 13

MET-276 Machining Technology

LATHE MACHINES

Lathe Components
Tailstock The tailstock can be used to support the end of the workpiece with a center, or to hold tools for drilling, reaming, threading, or cutting tapers. It can be adjusted in position along the ways to accommodate different length workpieces. The tailstock barrel can be fed along the axis of rotation with the tailstock hand wheel.

Figure 2 Lathe Machine

Carriage The carriage controls and supports the cutting tool. It consists of: Saddle that slides along the ways.
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K i n g F a h d U n i v e r s i t y o f P e t r ol e u m a n d M i n e r a l s Hafr-Al-Batin Community College Hand out # 13

MET-276 Machining Technology

LATHE MACHINES

An apron that controls the feed mechanisms. A cross slide that controls transverse motion of the tool (toward or away from the operator). A tool compound that adjusts to permit angular tool movement. A tool post that holds the cutting tools. Headstock The headstock is fixed to the bed and is equipped with motors, pulleys and V-belts that supply power to a spindle at various rotational speeds. Bed The bed supports all major components of the lathe. Beds have a large mass and are built rigidly, usually manufactured from gray or nodular cast iron. Feed Rod and Lead Screw The feed rod is powered by a set of gears through the headstock. The rod rotates during the lathe operation and provides movement to the carriage and the cross-slide by means of gears, friction clutch and a keyway along the length of the rod. The lead screw will cause the apron and cutting tool to advance quickly. This is used for cutting threads, and for moving the tool quickly. The feed rod will move the apron and cutting tool slowly forward. This is largely used for most of the turning operations.

Lathe Specifications
A lathe is generally specified by; i. ii. iii. Its swing, the maximum diameter of the workpiece that can be machined. The maximum distance between the headstock and tailstock centres. The length of the bed.

Lathe Types
There are a number of different lathe designs, and some of the most popular are discussed here. Engine Lathe It is the basic, simplest and the most versatile lathe. This machine tool is manually operated that is why it requires skilled operators. Suitable for low and medium production and for repair works.

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K i n g F a h d U n i v e r s i t y o f P e t r ol e u m a n d M i n e r a l s Hafr-Al-Batin Community College Hand out # 13

MET-276 Machining Technology

LATHE MACHINES

Turret lathes These machines are capable of carrying out multiple cutting operations on the same workpiece. Several cutting tools are mounted on a tetra-, penta-, or hexagonal turret, which replaces the tailstock. These tools can be rapidly brought into action against the workpiece one by one by indexing the turret.

Figure 3 Computer-Numerical Control lathes (CNC lathes) Computer-controlled (numerically controlled, NC, CNC) lathes incorporate a computer system to control the movements of machine components by directly inserted coded instructions in the form of numerical data. A CNC lathe is especially useful in contour turning operations and precise machining. A CNC lathe is essentially a turret lathe. The major advantage of these machines is in their versatility - to adjust the CNC lathe for a different part to be machined requires a simple change in the computer program and, in some cases, a new set of cutting tools. Special Purpose Lathes These lathe machines are used for applications such as railroad wheels, gun barrel and rolling mill rolls. The size of the workpiece is usually large in these machines. Tracer Lathes These lathes have special attachments that are capable of turning parts with various contours. They are also known as duplicating or contouring lathes. The cutting tool follows the path that duplicates the contour of the template.

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K i n g F a h d U n i v e r s i t y o f P e t r ol e u m a n d M i n e r a l s Hafr-Al-Batin Community College Hand out # 13

MET-276 Machining Technology

LATHE MACHINES

Automatic Lathes In fully automatic lathes, parts are fed and removed automatically, whereas in semiautomatic lathes these functions are performed by the operator. These machines may have horizontal or vertical spindle and are suitable for medium to high volume production.

General Troubleshooting guide for Turning Operations

Problem Probable Cause Tool material lacks toughness, improper tool angles, machine tool lacks stiffness, machining parameters too high. Machining parameters too high, improper tool material, ineffective cutting fluid, improper tool angles. Built-up edge on tool, feed too high, tool too sharp, vibration and chatter. Lack of stiffness of machine tool and work holding devices, excessive temperature rise, tool wear. Lack of stiffness of machine tool and work holding devices, machining parameters are not set properly.

Tool breakage Excessive tool wear Rough surface finish Dimensional variability Tool chatter

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