Version 1.0, August 31, 2001, Copyright, Hugh Jack 1993-2001

8.1 INTRODUCTION

 

· A lathe is a large machine that rotates the work, and cutting is done with a non-rotating cutting tool. The shapes cut are generally round, or helical. The tool is typically moved parallel to the axis of rotation during cutting.

 

· Manual lathes have the following major components,

 

 

· General classifications used when describing lathes are,

  1. - Swing - the largest diameter of work that can be rotated.
  2. - Distance Between Centres - the longest length of workpiece
  3. - Length of Bed - Related to the Distance Between Centres
  4. - Power - The range of speeds and feeds, and the horsepower available

 

· The critical parameters on the lathe are speed of rotation (speed in RPM) and how far the tool moves across the work for each rotation (feed in IPR).