Lathe Machine

is a machine tool used to carve axis symmetrical

objects. Shaping hard objects like metals, wood
or glass is for what a lathe machine is generally
employed in various industries. However apart
from shaping and cutting, lathe can also used
for several other tasks too which include
functionalities like drilling, turning, knurling,
grooving, threading etc.
Centre Lathe
• The Centre Lathe is used to manufacture cylindrical
shapes from a range of materials including; steels and
plastics.

• Components that assemble to make an car engine

work have been made using lathes.

• The Lathe may be operated by people (manual lathes)

or computer controlled lathes (CNC machines) that
have been programmed to carry out a particular task.
 A basic manual centre lathe

• The lathe is
controlled by a
person turning
handles on the
top slide and
cross slide in
order to make a
part.
 Lathe Parts
• Lathe bed
 Made from rigid cast Iron
 Accurately machined
slideways
 Slideways guide carriage
& tailstock
 Headstock on upper end
of the lathe bed
Lathe parts

• Headstock
 Holds lathe spindle
and gears
 Chuck is fitted to
spindle
 Spindle is hollow for
long bars
 Lathe parts

• Tailstock
 Can be moved along
slideways
 Can be clamped
in any location
 Inside tapered
to hold drill chuck
Lathe parts

• Carriage
 Moves along bed
between tailstock and
headstock
 Saddle – across the
lathe
 Apron – hangs down
in front
 Lathe parts

• Cross Slide
 Fitted on the Saddle
 Moves cutting tool at
right angles to lathe
bed
Lathe parts

• Top Slide
(Compound slide)
 Fitted to top of Cross slide
 Carries toolpost and cutting
tool
 Can rotate to any angle
 Is used to turn tapers
 Lathe parts

• Feed shaft
 Used to move the
Carriage
automatically

• Lead screw
 Used when screw
cutting on the lathe
Lathe Parts
• Three Jaw Chuck
 Self centring
 Holds round and
hexagonal work
 3 jaws are connected
 Jaws are stamped 1,2 & 3
and fitted in order
 Chuck key used to open
 Lathe parts
• Toolpost
 Fitted on top slide and
carries the cutting tool
or the cutting tool
holder
 Can adjust the height
on some types
 Can carry 4 different
tool holders
Lathe parts

• Tool holders
 Used for holding
cutting tool bits
 Available in Right
hand, left hand and
straight
• Cutting Tools
 Can be High Speed
Steel held in tool
holders
 Can be also Ceramic
(Tungsten carbide)
bits held directly in
toolpost
 Cutting Tool Angle
• Clearance angle
 Ensures only the
cutting edge of the
tool touches the work
 Too much clearance
causes chatter
Cutting tool angle
• Rake Angle
 Allows the chip being cut
to flow out
 Changing the rake
changes the power used
in cutting and the heat
generated
 Large rake = soft ductile
materials
 Small rake = hard brittle
materials
 Cutting tool angle
• Tool bits are held in
holders at an angle of
about 15°
 Cutting tools
• We can put different shapes on the High
speed tool bits to cut different shapes on
the workpiece
Lathe operations
Facing off

Parallel Turning

Parallel Turning
 Parallel Turning
• The tool moved parallel to
the work and cylindrical
shapes are
formed

• Also known as sliding

 Parallel Turning
• The student can Parallel turn the work on the
lathe manually or use the automatic traverse
option
Facing off
• The tool is moved at
right angles to the
work using the cross
slide
• Flat surfaces are
produced
 Knurling
• A knurling tool is used to press a pattern onto a
round section.
• The pattern is normally used as a grip for a
handle.
• This provide a grip for the round part
e.g. Screwdriver
Knurling
 Parting off
• If the student wants to cut
off the part they have
turned, they can use the
hacksaw and a vice or use
the parting off tool on the
lathe.
Setting the tool height
• The cutting tool on
the lathe must be set
to the exact centre of
the work-piece
• We use the centre of
the tailstock to guide
us to the correct
height
 Screw-cutting on the lathe
• Lathes are also used
to cut threads in
round bars
• These threads take up
different profiles e.g
iso (60°) ACME etc.
• These threads can be
seen on bench vices,
lathes etc.
CNC Lathes
• In Industry it is not
efficient or profitable to
make everyday products
by hand.
• On a CNC machine it is
possible to make
hundreds of the same
item in a day.
• First a design is drawn
using design software,
then it is processed by the
computer and made using
the CNC machine.
• In industry, CNC machines
can be extremely large.
 LATHE OPERATIONS
Producing a Flat Surface

Producing a
Cylindrical Surface

Taper Turning
Radius Turning Attachment

Drilling on a Lathe

Parting Off / Under Cutting