What are turned parts?

The lathe is one of the most versatile machine tools there is. On this equipment it is possible to carry out many machining jobs by metal cutting. What are turned parts? What are the characteristics of this type of part?

Machining on a lathe

Lathes can be of different types: automatic, copying, centre, computer numerically controlled, and so on. Although these machines work in different ways, they have a similar operating principle and the turned parts are of high quality. On a lathe, the workpiece is held in a chuck or jaw chuck, which rotates on its own axis while a cutting tool approaches in a controlled movement to remove swarf. The swarf is surplus material from the surface of the workpiece that is removed in the form of small metal flakes.

Lathes can carry out many machining processes. They can shape a part by removing swarf, but they can also face, drill or groove, among many other operations. For each type of job the machine may need different cutting tools, such as steel inserts or drill bits.

Characteristics of turned parts

Turned parts are characterised by being parts of revolution, that is, they rotate on their own axis in order to be machined. The material can vary widely. On metal lathes, parts can be machined from various metals, such as aluminium, hardened steel or carbon steel. There are also lathes capable of machining wooden and plastic parts.

Depending on the type of lathe used and the machining applied, the results for turned parts are very varied. Centre lathes are the most traditional and conventional, and can fulfil their purpose when it comes to machining parts with a simple design. Copying lathes, as their name indicates, create parts identical to others. On computer numerical control (CNC) equipment it is possible to create very complex turned parts, with perfect finishes and demanding tolerances. In addition, lathes that incorporate CNC technology can machine parts in series and in different sizes.

Turning work and, consequently, the parts also depend on the accessories the machines use. Notable examples are the tailstock, which makes it possible to machine very long parts such as bars and rods. Also notable are the cylindrical and tapered parts that can be worked on lathes if these have multiple axes.

Turned parts for industrial maintenance

Industrial maintenance refers to the upkeep of equipment in optimum condition; this is achieved through the different methods of maintenance such as preventive and corrective maintenance. However, as a way of preserving machines, it also includes the manufacture of parts following a sample or a drawing.

Turned parts made to sample are an excellent way of contributing to lathe maintenance. When the machine is given a thorough inspection, it may turn out that some previously manufactured parts have suffered deformation, poor turning or a loss of their properties. This makes it possible to get the affected lathe back into operation as soon as possible.

Benefits of turned parts made to sample

When parts are made to sample, it is possible to create spare parts for equipment that has been discontinued or that has a very long delivery time. In addition to fast manufacture, production costs are lower, there is higher quality and performance and, of course, the current standards for the manufacture of such parts are met. At the same time, the affected equipment is back in operation almost immediately.

Different techniques are used to machine these parts. The most widely used, of course, is the one involving swarf removal. For this, you start from a raw piece or block of metal to which different machining parameters are applied to achieve the necessary dimensions and finishes. To produce these parts, different cutting tools such as inserts are used.

In turning, parts are made through the rotation of the material on its own axis, combined with the controlled movement of the cutting tool. This makes it possible to obtain parts of different shapes: cylindrical, conical, helical, and so on.

Parts for different industries

As you well know, the lathe is a very versatile machine tool. The parts it produces are not used only in the metalworking industry, but also in different production sectors. For example, lathes are indispensable for manufacturing parts of food industry machines such as burger-patty forming machines; also for making parts for the production lines of the canning industry. And, of course, for the series production of cylindrical cans for packaging different foods.

Depending on the type of machine used, lathes are able to manufacture parts for the heaviest industries such as automotive, aerospace, aeronautical and naval. Here, for example, you will find that lathes can machine large parts such as bars of different characteristics.