Lathe Machine

Lathe Machine 

Lathe Machine:

The lathe machine is one of the oldest machines used in production units. Lathe machine is also known as “The mother of Machines”. Lathe holds the workpiece on both ends between the headstock and the tailstock and rotates it about its axis. The lathe has become more popular for general-purpose work and for repairing purposes. Different types of lathe machines are available nowadays.

Schematic diagram of Lathe Machine 

Principle of Lathe Machine:

The principle of the lathe machine is based on the fact that it rotates the workpiece about its axis at high speed and the material is removed in the form of chips with the help of the cutting tool.

Lathe Machine parts:

Here some main parts which are common in many lathe machines are listed.

• Bed
• Spindle
• Headstock
• Chuck
• Tailstock
• Carriage
• Cross slide
• Saddle
• Tool post
• Bed ways
• Feed rod
• Lead screw

Explanation of different parts of the Lathe Machine:

Bed:

The main part of the lathe machine is the bed and all the other parts are placed on it. The bed is made very heavy to resist the deflection in the machine. It is made by casting cast iron and its alloys.

The parts which are placed on the bed are:

• Headstock
• Tailstock
• Carriage

Headstock:

The stock is fixed on the left end of the lathe machine. It is fitted with gears and its main purpose is the supply power to all other parts of the lathe machine. It transmits the power from the motor to the spindle. The power from the motor to the spindle is transmitted either through the belt drive or gear drive.

Chuck:

Chuck is the clamping device on the lathe machine. It is attached to the nose of the spindle. It is used to clamp regular shapes such as circular, square, triangular, etc. There are many types of chuck available in the market but the most commonly used is the universal chuck.

Different types of chucks:

• Universal chuck or Three jaws chuck
• Four jaws chuck
• Magnetic cuck

Tailstock:

The tailstock is located on the other end of the lathe machine. It can slide on the bed rails according to the adjustment of the workpiece. It is used to support the free end of the rotating workpiece.

Carriage:

The carriage is placed in between the headstock and the tailstock. The main function of the carriage is to support the cutting tool. It moves along the bed rails of the lathe machine. It gives the cross movement to the cutting tool through the cross slide.

The components of the carriage are

• Saddle
• Apron
• Cross slide
• Compound rest
• Tool post

Saddle:

The saddle is the base of the carriage. It slides on the bed ways of the lathe. It is responsible for the movement of the cutting tool along the axis of the lathe machine. All the components are attached to it.

Apron:

The apron is fastened to the saddle on the front. It consists of gears and a feed system. It connects the feed rod to the carriage. It also engages the lead screw during the threads cutting operation.

Cross slide:

It is assembled on the saddle and it gives the movement perpendicular to the axis of the lathe machine to the cutting tool.

Compound rest:

It is on the top of the cross slide and it gives angular movement to the tool post. It is used for angled turning operations.

Tool post:

The tool post holds the tool post tightly in its place. The tool post is mounted on the top of the compound rest.

Parts which are manufactured using lathe machine:

All the cylindrical parts of various diameters can be manufactured using a lathe machine. Also nuts and bolts, electric motor parts, aircraft parts, automobile parts, camshafts, pistons, gun barrels, and Many more things.

Types of Lathe machines:

• Speed Lathe
• Turret lathe
• Capstan lathe
• Center lathe or engine Lathe
• Tool room lathe
• Bench lathe
• Gap lathe
• Special purpose Lathe
• CNC lathe