The main functions of a lathe include the following aspects:
- External surface machining: Lathes rotate the workpiece via the spindle and use cutting tools to machine external surfaces, creating cylindrical or conical shapes.
- Internal hole machining: Lathes can machine internal holes using tools such as drill bits and boring bars, performing operations like drilling, enlarging, and reaming.
- End face machining: Lathes can cut the end face of a workpiece to create a flat surface or a specific profile.
- Thread machining: Lathes can cut threads-both internal and external-using specialized threading tools.
- Complex shape machining: Modern CNC lathes can also machine complex shapes-such as curved surfaces or inclined slots-through programming.
Lathes are used in a wide range of applications, including machinery manufacturing, automotive parts processing, aerospace, and mold making. When selecting a lathe, one must consider factors such as the material to be machined, required precision, and production efficiency. For example, wood processing might call for a semi-automatic woodworking lathe, whereas high-precision metal machining requires a CNC lathe.
