Turning Machines: Get to Know your CNC Lathes
Due to its speed and accuracy, Computer Numerical Control Lathes (CNC Lathes), often referred as “Turning Machines”, are preferred by industries that mass produce symmetrically shaped objects. It is highly-praised since it is easier and more efficient to use. In the production process, human intervention is low and its participation is only by loading and switching the materials. With the minimization of human intervention, there is a lower chance of error plus it produces objects with more accurate dimensional tolerances – thus, resulting in accurate and quality parts. In comparison with the traditional lathes, CNC lathes are easier to operate and have the ability to produce accurate products based on the intended design. Manufacturing industries have ended up preferring CNC Lathes over traditional lathes. However, keep in mind that it is important to note that the operator should be highly skilled and knowledgeable in operating CNC Lathes since the preciseness of the produced items are highly dependent on their skills of controlling the machine.
Much like every CNC machine, CNC Lathes control those tools depending on the program chosen by the worker. By simply choosing a pre-planned program for various operations, the machine proceeds to work non-stop until it achieves that intended volume, and at the same time, assuring its quality and timeliness of production. It is typical for a CNC Lathe to have a Spindle, an X and Y axis, and produce work pieces by rotating the organic material placed on the spindle as different sets of tools and drill bits shape and carve the preferred piece. CNC Lathes are also capable of working with multiple axes. It can accommodate up to 8 axes, however CNC Lathes with 8 axes are not practically used everyday in manufacturing due to its complexity.
With its versatility, CNC Lathes are able to perform boring, milling, knurling, taper turning, parallel turning, step turning, drilling, reaming, threading, and tapping – thus, it reduces the need to use other CNC machines.
Due to its versatility, CNC Lathes are also utilized for wood, glass, and metal works for creating parts. The most common objects that are also produced by CNC Lathes are present and used in our daily lives. Objects such as your:
- Baseball Bats
- Camshafts
- Crankshafts
- Cue Sticks
- Sign Boards
- Trumpet
- Nuts & Bolts
- Pistons
- Electric Motor Parts
- Aircraft Parts
- Gun Barrels
- Candlesticks
- Train Parts
CNC Lathes in Everyday Life
In manufacturing parts that are symmetrical in shape – such as Cones, Spheres, Domes, and Cylinders – CNC Lathes are commonly used by industries that produce pipes and shafts. The machine’s main work pieces are round rods. CNC Lathes are also capable of producing structures with flat surfaces and screw threads – as long as it has an inner and outer diameter, CNC Lathes are able to work with metal, epoxy, glass, and wood. Although there are various types of CNC Lathes, Horizontal and Vertical CNC Lathes are the most common. Vertical lathes work with materials that are large and heavy while the Horizontal Lathes work on lightweight materials. Notable with its name, Vertical lathes process materials by positioning it in an upright position. This enables the spindle to obtain tough angles and also holds the material in place. This type of lathe can shape plastics, etc. Horizontal lathes, on the other hand, rotate the materials cylindrically in order to obtain the intended design.
Production industries related to oil & gas, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical industries prefer using CNC Lathes to procure parts and objects needed. To name a few, objects such Power plants, Automobile Frames, Surgical instruments, Mobile Phones, garden tools, Aerospace Engines, and Shipping Frames are some of the common items that CNC Lathes produce for these industries. If you’re interested in purchasing a lathe machine, browse our extensive inventory of used vertical lathe machines and used horizontal lathes. Contact us at Tramar Industries and we’ll help you find the right machine for the job.