1.1 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,

- Swing - the largest diameter of work that can be rotated.

- Distance Between Centres - the longest length of workpiece

- Length of Bed - Related to the Distance Between Centres

- 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).