The lathe: a machine tool with history
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This is one of the machines with the greatest tradition and presence in machining workshops all over the world, but how much do we really know about this type of machine?
Although its origins go back to the 9th century BC, it was not until the 13th century that it acquired clear advantages in handling and operability: it went from being exclusively hand-operated to being operated by means of a pedal. From the 15th century onwards, lathes with belt drive and with connecting-rod-and-belt drive appeared.
With the start of the Industrial Revolution in England, in the second half of the 18th century, the first lathes capable of machining a metal part appeared.
Lathes are sometimes classified according to their use: workshop lathes, copying lathes, series production lathes.
Workshop lathes include bench lathes, high-speed lathes, precision lathes, lathes for use in an engineering workshop, and gap-bed or split-bed lathes.
HELLER centre lathe, MODEL CE 460×1000
Based on their structural and functional characteristics, they can be classified as:
Centre lathe (or mechanical):
Starting from the old lathes, through the addition of new equipment, it became one of the most versatile machine tools. Today, this type of lathe is an essential part of apprentice workshops and maintenance workshops.
Its name is based on the parallelism that exists between the axis of the headstock (and therefore of the workpiece to be machined) and the main path of the machining tool. It consists of a headstock, inside which the spindle rotates, and two longitudinal guideways that are parallel to each other and to the spindle. On the end of the spindle (neck) is mounted the universal chuck, the three-jaw chuck or the centre, which serve to centre the workpiece to be machined and to impart to it the rotary movement provided by the electric motor through the speed change gearbox.
Between the headstocks, the tool carriage moves, either manually with a handwheel or by means of the feed movement imparted by the rotation of the feed rod or the threading rod or leadscrew, both driven by the motor through the feed gearbox or the threading gearbox.
On the carriage and perpendicular to the guideways, the tool turret can move, guided and driven manually through a handwheel and a lead screw, or mechanically, thanks to the feed movement imparted to it by the feed rod.
HELLER centre lathe. Model CE660V x 1500
Copying lathe
It operates with a hydraulic and electronic device that allows workpieces to be turned according to their characteristics, following the profile of a template that reproduces a replica.
A tool that allows good swarf evacuation is needed, as well as an effective lubrication and cooling system for the cutting edge of the tools, using plenty of cutting oil or cutting fluid.
Electronic copying lathe
Turret lathe
Its use is intended for machining workpieces on which several tools can work simultaneously in order to reduce the total machining time.
The turret lathe has a carriage with a rotating turret into which the different tools that machine the workpiece are inserted. Workpieces can also be machined individually by clamping them in a hydraulically operated jaw chuck.
Automatic lathe
An automatic lathe is a type of lathe whose working process is entirely automated. The bar feed needed for each part is also carried out automatically, from a long bar that is inserted through a tube in the headstock and held by hydraulic clamping collets.
These lathes can have one or several spindles.
- Single-spindle lathes are used for machining small parts that require large production runs.
- Multi-spindle lathes are very useful for machining larger parts, where, in a programmed way, each spindle carries out part of the machining of the workpiece. The change of position of the spindles allows quick completion, as they work simultaneously.
Vertical lathe
Its use is intended for machining large workpieces that are held in the jaw chuck or other clamping devices and that, because of their size or weight, would be difficult to hold on a horizontal lathe.
They have no tailstock; the only holding point for the workpieces is the horizontal chuck on which they rest. To fix the workpiece to the chuck, it is moved using overhead cranes or hoists.
The spindle axis of the fixed headstock is vertical and the chuck on it rotates in a horizontal plane. The guideways are mounted on two vertical, parallel columns, joined at the top by a bridge. The tool carriage moves horizontally on a bridge, which in turn is guided by two columns.
It offers great production capacity and machining accuracy.
It makes it possible to machine curved surfaces accurately by coordinating the axial and radial movements for the tool feed.
The rotation speed of the workpiece-holding headstock, the feed of the longitudinal and cross carriages and the workpiece dimensions are programmed and are therefore free of errors attributable to the machine operator.
FOLLOW CNC lathe. Model CNC80
Frequently asked questions
What is the origin of the lathe?
Its origins go back to the ninth century BC, although it was not until the thirteenth century that it gained clear handling advantages, going from being operated by hand alone to being operated with a treadle. From the fifteenth century belt-driven lathes appeared, and the first lathes capable of machining a metal workpiece arrived at the start of the Industrial Revolution in England.
What is a centre lathe and why is it also called a parallel lathe?
It is the classic mechanical lathe and one of the most versatile machine tools, essential in apprentice and maintenance workshops. It is called a parallel lathe because of the parallelism between the axis of the headstock, and therefore of the workpiece, and the main path of the tool. It consists of a headstock with the spindle, two parallel ways, a tool carriage and a turret that moves perpendicular to the ways.
What types of lathe are there?
According to their structure and operation, the main ones are the centre or mechanical lathe, the copying lathe, the capstan lathe, the automatic lathe, the vertical lathe and the CNC lathe. According to their use, a distinction is made between workshop lathes, copying lathes and series-production lathes; workshop lathes include bench, speed, precision, machine shop and gap-bed or split-bed lathes.
What is a vertical lathe used for?
It is used to machine large or heavy parts that would be difficult to hold on a horizontal lathe. It has no tailstock: the workpiece rests on and is held in a horizontal chuck, onto which it is lifted with overhead cranes or hoists. The headstock spindle is vertical and the tool carriage moves on a bridge guided by two columns.
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