INTRODUCTION

A capstan lathe or a turret lathe is a production lathe used to manufacture anynumber of identical pieces in the minimum time. These lathes are development of engine lathes. The capstan lathe was first developed in the United States of America byPratt and Whitney sometimes in 1860.Special characteristics of a capstan or turret lathe enable it to perform a series of operations such as drilling, turning, boring, thread cutting, reaming, chamfering, cutting-off and many other operations in a regular sequence to produce a large number of identical pieces in a minimum time.

Differences between a Capstan Lathe and Turret and an Engine Lathe:

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The headstock of a turret lathe is similar to that of an engine lathe in constructionbut possesses wider range of speeds, and is of heavier in construction.

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Similar sizes of capstan and turret lathe and engine lathe, when an engine lathewill require a motor of 3h.p. to drive its spindle and other parts, a capstan andturret lathe will demand power as high as 15h.p. for high rate of production.

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In a turret lathe, the tailstock of an engine lathe is replaced by a turret. This is asix sided block each of which may carry one or more tools. These tools may beindexed one after the other to perform different operations in a regular order. Thisis a decisive advantage in mass production.

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In a turret lathe, combination of cuts can be taken. Two or more tools may bemounted on the same face of the turret, making it possible to machine more thanone surface at a time. This feature reduces total operational time.

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A semiskilled operator can operate a capstan or turret lathe after the machinehas been set up by a skilled machinist. A skilled machinist may be requisitionedfor setting up only for a large number of machines, where as actual productionmay be given by a semiskilled operator.

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Capstan and turret lathe is fundamentally a production machine, capable of producing large number of identical pieces in a minimum time. The centre lathe issuitable for odd jobs having different shapes and sizes.

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Capstan and turret lathes are not usually fitted with lead screws for cuttingthreads. A short length of lead screw called “Chasing screw “ are sometimesprovided for cutting threads by a chaser in a turret lathe.

Differences between a capstan and turret lathe

Capstan latheTurret latheTurret of a capstan lathe is mounted on ashort slide or ram slide which slides onthe saddle.Turret of a turret lathe is mounted on asaddle which slides directly on the bedThus in a capstan lathe, travel of theturret is dependent upon the length of thetravel of the ram. This limits the maximumlength of work to be machined in onesetting.Turret saddle moves on total length of bed, this enables the turret to be moved inentire length of the bed and can machinelonger work.Maximum size of bar that a capstan lathecan accommodate is 60 mm in diameter.Turret lathes are capable of turning bars125 to 200 mm in diameter and absorbingup to 50h.p. in the main drive.Capstan lathes are suitable for bar work.Larger and heavier chucking works areusually handled on a turret lathe.In capstan lathe hand feeding is easy asthe hexagonal turret can be moved forthand back more rapidly without movingsaddle unit.In case of turret lathe hand feeding is alaborious process due to the movement of the entire saddle unit.

Principal parts of capstan and turret lathes

The turret has essentially the same parts as the engine lathe except the turretand the complex mechanism incorporated in it for making it suitable for mass productionwork.Different parts of capstan lathe are:

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Head stock

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Cross-slide tool post

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Hexagonal turret

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Saddle for auxiliary slide

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Auxiliary slide

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Lathe head

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Feed rod

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Saddle for cross-slide.Different parts of turret lathe are:

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Head stock

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Cross-slide tool post

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Hexagonal turret

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Turret saddle

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Feed rod

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Saddle for cross-slide.

Bed:

The bed is a long box like casting provided with accurate guide ways upon whichare mounted the carriage and turret saddle. The bed is designed to ensure strength,rigidity and permanency of alignment under heavy duty services. Like engine latheprecision surface finishing methods must be applied to keep it resistant to wear duringservice period.

Headstock:

The headstock is a large casting located at the left hand end of the bed. Theheadstock of capstan and turret lathe may be of the following types:1.Step cone pulley driven headstock2.Direct electric motor driven headstock3.All geared headstock

Pre optive or pre selective headstock.