lathe

• Lathe Machine


  A machine tool used to shape, turn, bore, thread, or otherwise modify the shape or dimensions of a workpiece by removing material

  
• Main Components of a Lathe


  • Lathe Bed
  • Head Stock
  • Tail Stock
  • Carriage Assembly
  • Lead Screw and Feed Rod
• Lathe Bed


  • Supports all major components of the lathe
  • Made out of cast iron
  • Has ribs and webs for reinforcements
  • Has accurately machined guides to facilitate tail stock and carriage
• Head Stock


  • Fixed to the bed and has a gear box driven by a motor
  • Varying the speeds are achieved by gears, pulleys and belts
  • Has a hollow spindle to connect work holding devices(e.g. chucks)
• Critical Head Stock Components

  • 3 jaw chuck (dependent chuck)
  • 4 jaw chuck (independent chuck)
  • Colette
  • Magnetic chuck
  • Face plates
  • Lathe dogs
• 3 Jaw Chuck (Dependent Chuck)


  • Has 3 jaws and they move in-out simultaneously
  • Fast in operation
  • Moderate precision
• 4 Jaw Chuck (Independent Chuck)


  • Jaws moves independently
  • Used for accurate positioning
• Colette


  • Used to clamp small diameter work pieces
• Magnetic Chuck


  • Clamps work piece without physical fastening components
  • Fast in operation
  • Can be permanent /electromagnetic types
• Face Plates


  • Clamps work pieces of odd shapes that are difficult to be clamped on chucks
• Lathe Dogs


  • Used with face plates or chucks once the work piece is mounted on centres
  • Helps to give firm connection between work piece and spindle
• Tail Stock


  • Moves along the guide ways in the lathe bed
  • Can be positioned and clamped at any position in the guide ways
  • Supports the work piece at the tail side of the lathe
  • Can fix a dead centre or drill chuck
• Carriage Components


  • Saddle
  • Cross Slide
  • Compound Rest
  • Apron
• Cross Slide


  • Mounted on top of saddle
  • Provides manual or auto movement of cutting tool
• Compound Rest


  • Tool post is mounted on top
  • Fitted on top of cross slide
  • Can be adjusted at any angle to facilitate taper turning
• Apron


  • Contains drive mechanisms to move the carriage by the use of hand power or motor power
• Feed Rod and Lead Screw


  • Feed rod is the power source for apron
  • In auto mode, cross slide and carriage also get powered by this
  • Feed rod is powered by head stock through set of gears
  • Split nut is used to engage-disengage lead screw for the carriage motion or idle