The lathe machine is primarily for shaping and forming metal, wood, or pieces of other materials. It does its job by holding and rotating the workpiece while a tool bit advances in the material to perform the cutting operation. The traditional lathe that cuts cylindrical metal stock can now create knurled surfaces, tapered work, crankshafts, drilled holes, and screw threads.
A modern CNC lathe for sale offers a variety of ways to use the cutting tool and provides more rotating speed options. Maintenance personnel and machinists must be familiar with using the lathe to perform the necessary repair and fabrication.
One of the essential materials in the manufacturing industry is machining, and the lathe machine is beneficial in machining. When looking for a CNC lathe for sale, follow the correct process of operation to accomplish the best result, and prevent accidents from happening.
Kinds of lathes
For easy identification, divide lathes into common types, which are special-purpose lathes, turret lathes, and engine lathes. The semi-portable and bench mounted ones are smaller while the floor-mounted lathes are bigger, requiring specialized transportation for moving.
Many maintenance shops and field settings prefer to use a lathe that is easy to transport to another job site and can adapt to various operations. The engine lathe is ideal for this purpose, as an operator can complete a lot of machining jobs when using the engine lathe than another machine tool.
For the production of specialized parts or mass production, special-purpose and turret lathes are the right tools for these jobs. For any lathe project, operators commonly use the basic engine lathes.
Basic operations of lathes
When it comes to the general operations of the CNC lathe, these involve grooving, turning papers, shoulder turning, straight turning, cutting screw threads, facing, etc. To be able to perform the operations safely and correctly, it requires a clear understanding of the depth of cut, feeds, and speeds of the lathe.
Every lathe operation requires a different level of these factors. So, for a particular project, the material, the size of the workpiece, the tool bit, and the desired cut determine the lathe depth of cut, feed, and speed. While the guidelines that you need to follow when working on these factors are general, specific changes may apply depending on the circumstances.
Maintenance and care
Before every operation, check for adjustment and lubricate the lathe. Loose bolts and nuts or incorrect lubrication may result in excessive wear, which can endanger everyone handling the procedure. Inspect the gears and lead screws for anything that could get stuck in the mechanism. Look for broken shear pins and any missing parts in each lathe.
When there is a need to transport a lathe machine, make sure to protect it from dust and extreme cold or heat conditions. When the job site is in a dusty environment, change the lubricant often. In cold working areas, use the CNC lathe at a slow speed, and avoid motor overheating in hot ones.
Safety
The operators of lathes must be particular with the safety hazards that come with using the machines. Following safety precautions can prevent injuries and accidents. Ignorance and negligence are two common dangers to personal safety. Some risks to be aware of can be mechanically related to a lathe operation, including machine setup and maintenance.