Lathe Machine

Define Lathe Machine

The bed of the lathe machine is the base on which all the other parts of the lathe are mounted.
The bed is made from Cast iron or nickel cast iron alloy and is supported on broad box-section
columns. Its upper surface is either scraped or grounded and the guiding and the sliding surfaces are
provided. The bed consists of heavy metal slides running lengthwise, with ways or v’s forced upon
them.
Headstock:
Headstock is present on the left end of the bed.
The main function of the headstock is to transmit power to the different parts of the lathe.
It supports the main spindle in the bearing and align it properly. It also houses a necessary
transmission mechanism with speed changing levers to obtain different speeds.
Accessories mounted on the headstock spindle are:
Three jaw chuck.
Four jaw chuck.
Lathe center and lathe dog.
Collet chuck.
Face Plate.
Magnetic chuck.
Tailstock:

Tail stock is a movable casting located opposite to the headstock on the way of the bed. The basic
function of the tailstock is:
To support the other end of the work when being machined.
To hold a tool for performing operations like drilling, reaming, tapping, etc.
It consists of the dead centers, the adjusting screws and the handwheel. The body of the tailstock is
adjustable on the base which is mounted on the guideways of the bed and can be moved to and fro.
Carriage:

Carriage is located between headstock and tailstock. The basic function of the carriage is to support,
guide and feed the tool against the job during operation.
It consists of 5 main parts:
Saddle:

It is an H-shaped casting mounted on the top of the lathe ways. It provides support to cross-slide,
compound rest and tool post.
Cross Slide:
Cross slide is provided with a female dovetail on one side and assembled on the top of the saddle with
its male dovetail.
The top surface of the cross slide is provided with T slots to enable fixing of rear tool post or coolant
attachment.
Carriage basically provides a mounted or automatic cross-movement for the cutting tool.
Compound Rest:

Compound rest is present on the top of the cross slide. It supports the tool post and cutting tool in its
various positions.
Compound rest is necessary for turning angles and boring short tapers and forms on forming tools.
Tool Post:

The tool post is mounted on the compound rest. It is used to hold the various cutting tool holders.
The holders rest on a wedge which is shaped on the bottom to fit into a concave-shaped
ring(segmental type), which permits the height of the cutting edge to be adjusted by tilting the tool.
It is fixed on the top slide. It gets its movement by the movement of the saddle, cross slide, and top
slide.
The Apron:

The Apron is fastened to the saddle and hangs over the front of the bed.
Apron consists of the gears and clutches for transmitting motion from the feed rod to the carriage, and
the split nut which engages with the lead screw during cutting threads.
Two types of Apron are extensively used:
i) Incorporating drop worm mechanism.
ii) Friction or dog clutches.
Chuck–

Chuck is basically used to hold the workpiece, particularly of short length and large diameter or of
irregular shape which can’t be conveniently mounted between centers. It can be attached to the lathe
by screwing on the spindle nose.
It is used for irregular shapes, rough castings of square or octagonal in such jobs, where a hole is to be
positioned off the center.
Feed Rod:
Feed rod is a power transmission mechanism used for precise linear movement of the carriage along
the longitudinal axis of the lathe.
In some lathe machine instead of feed rod lead screws are used.
H) Lead screw:
Lead screw is used mostly in the case when threading operation are to be performed on lathe.
As we know for threading operation requires rotational movement of the job (work piece) and the linear
movement of the tool (tool post).
So rotation of the job is obtained by the chuck and the desired linear motion of the tool-post(asthe lead
screw drives the saddle when it is engaged) is provided with the help of lead screw.
What is machine tool? List various machine tools
Definition:
Machine tools are devices that use power to shape or cut materials, such as metal, wood, or plastic, for
various purposes. They are essential for many industries, such as manufacturing, engineering,
construction, and aerospace. In this article, you will learn about the history and evolution of machine
tools, and the most common types and applications of machine tools in different industries.
Types of machine tools
Machine tools can be classified into two main categories: cutting tools and forming tools. Cutting tools
remove material from a workpiece by means of a cutting edge, such as a drill bit, a saw blade, or a
milling cutter. Forming tools shape material by applying pressure or heat, such as a press, a hammer,
or a forge. Within these categories, there are many subtypes of machine tools, such as lathes, milling
machines, drilling machines, grinding machines, turning machines, boring machines, shaping
machines, and punching machines.
Applications of machine tools
Machine tools have a broad range of uses in different industries, depending on the type, size, and
complexity of the machine tool and the workpiece. In manufacturing, they are used to make engines,
turbines, bearings, gears, pipes, and furniture. In engineering, they are used to design and test new
materials, structures, and systems such as bridges, buildings, vehicles, and aircraft. In construction
they are used to cut, shape and join materials like wood, metal and concrete for building and repairing
structures and infrastructures. Aerospace applications include creating and maintaining parts for space
exploration and aviation such as rockets, satellites, planes and helicopters. Medical uses include
making and repairing medical devices and instruments like implants, prosthetics, surgical tools and
diagnostic machines.
Explain the working principle of Lathe machine with neat sketch.
A lathe is a machine tool which use to removes unwanted materials from a work piece in the form of
chips with the help of a tool that travels across the work piece and can be fed deep in work.

 When the tool is moved parallel to the work-piece then the cylindrical surface is formed.
  If the tool is moved inclined to the axis then it produces a tapered surface and so calls as taper
turning.

Working
 It holds the work between two supports so call as centers.
 Face plate or Chuck are using for holding the work.
 Face plate or Chuck are mounted on the machine spindle.
 The cutting tool is holding with the help of Tool post.
 The movement of the job is rotating about the spindle axis.
 Against the revolving work, the tool is feed.
 The tool moves either parallel or inclination to the work axis.