Lathe Machine Operation

Lathe Machine
Operation
In this article, you will learn about what are the different types of lathe machine operations
performed on the lathe machine. Lathe machine performs the different operations such as
turning, facing, taper turning, knurling, grooving, parting off, thread cutting, reaming etc.

Let's discuss all lathe machine operations one by one as

follows.

To perform different lathe machine operations on a lathe, the workpiece may be supported and
driven by any one of the following methods:

1. Workpiece held between centres and tool driven by carriers and catch plates. 2.
Workpiece held on a mandrel which is supported between centres and driven by carriers
and catch plates. 3. Held and driven by chuck with the other end supported on
the tailstock centre. 4. Held and driven by a chuck or a faceplate or an angle
plate.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 1
Lathe Machine Operation

The above methods of holding the work may be classified under two
heading:

1. Workpiece held between centres. 2. Workpiece

held by a chuck or any other fixtures.

Read Also:
1. The Complete List of Milling Machine
Operations 2. 6 Different types of Shaper
Machine Operations

Types of Lathe Machine

Operations
The lathe machine operations are classified into three main categories and are as
follows.

Following are the Lathe machine operations done either by holding the workpiece between
centres or by a chuck:

1. Turning Operation
1. Plain or Straight Turning 2. Rough
Turning 3. Shoulder Turning 4.
Taper Turning 5. Eccentric Turning
2. Facing Operation 3. Chamfering
Operation 4. Knurling Operation 5.
Thread cutting Operation 6. Filing
Operation 7. Polishing Operation 8.
Grooving Operation 9. Spinning
Operation 10. Spring Winding 11.
Forming

Lathe machine operations which are performed by holding the work by a chuck or a faceplate
or an angle plate are:

1. Drilling 2. Reaming 3.
Boring 4. Counterboring 5.
Taper boring 6. Tapping 7.
Undercutting 8. Internal
thread cutting 9. Parting-off
The operation which is performed by using special attachments
are:

1. Grinding 2.
Milling

TheEngineersPost.com Page 2
Lathe Machine Operation

Read Also about Lathe

Machine:

• Lathe Machine: Parts, Types, Accessories,

Attachments
• 7 Types Of Lathe Machine Chucks with [Images]
• Cutting speed, Feed, Depth of cut, Machining time in lathe
machine
• 14 Different Types of Lathe Cutting Tools

1. Operations Done by Holding Workpiece Between

Centres

Turning:

It is the most common type of operation in all lathe machine operations. Turning is the operation
of removing the excess material from the workpiece to produce a cylindrical surface to the
desired length.

The job held between the centre or a chuck and rotating at a required speed. The tool moves in
a longitudinal direction to give the feed towards the headstock with proper depth of cut. The
surface finish is very good.

1. Straight
Turning:
The workpiece is held on the chuck and it is made to rotate about the axis, and the tool is fed
parallel to the lathe axis. The straight turning produces a cylindrical surface by removing excess
metal from the workpiece.

2. Rough
Turning:

It is the process of removal of excess material from the workpiece in minimum time by applying
high rate feed and heavy depth of cut. in rough turning the average depth of cut 2mm to 4mm
can be given and feed is from 0.3 to 1.5mm per revolution of the work.

3. Shoulder
Turning:

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Lathe Machine Operation

When a workpiece has different diameters and is to be turned, the surface forming steps from
one diameter to the other is called the shoulder, and machining this part of the workpiece is
called shoulder turning.

Eccentric
turning:

When a cylindrical surface two separate axis of rotation, with the first axis, is offset to the other
axis then such a workpiece is machined by the operation called eccentric turning. Here three
sets of centre holes are drilled.

By holding the workpiece at these three centres the machining operation for each of the surface
can be completed.

Taper
Turning:

• A ''taper'' is the uniform increase or decrease in the diameter of the workpiece and
measured along with its length.
 • Taper turning means to produce a conical shape by a gradual reduction in diameter from a
cylindrical workpiece.

The amount of taper in the workpiece is usually specified on the basis of the difference in
diameter of the taper to its length. It is known as a cone and it is indicated by the letter K.

It has the formula K = D-d / 1 to produce the taper on the

workpiece.

• D = Larger diameter of taper.

• d = Small diameter of taper.

In the case of a lathe, the taper on a given workpiece is obtained by tuning the job and feeding
the tool at an angle to produce a gradual increase or decrease in the diameter of the
workpiece.

• The two important types of tapers are,

o ''More taper'' here, the angle is very small and varies from 1.4 to 1.5°. o
''Metric taper'' is available in seven standard sizes with standard taper angles.
• Methods of taper turning, o Form tool method o Combined feeds
method o Compound rest method or swivelling compound rest
method o Tailstock set over method o Taper turning attachment
method

TheEngineersPost.com Page 4
Lathe Machine Operation

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Lathes

1. Form tool method

Here the taper length obtain is equal to the width of the form tool. To obtain the required size of
the taper the form tool is fed slowly straight into the workpiece by operating the cross slide
perpendicular to the lathe axis.
This is the simplest method of taper turning. It is limited to obtain small taper length such as
chamfering the side of the workpiece. The method is done at a faster rate.

2. Combined feeds
method

The combined feed is made with the movement of a tool in longitudinal and lateral direction
simultaneously while moving the workpiece.

The taper, which we are going to obtain, is equal to the resultant to the magnitude of the
longitudinal and lateral feeds.

Changing the feeds rates in both directions can change the direction and the taper
angle.

Read Also: Slotter Machine: Types, Parts and Operations [Complete

Guide]

TheEngineersPost.com Page 5
Lathe Machine Operation

3. Compound rest swivel

method

Here the workpiece rotates and the cutting tool is fed at an angle by swivelled compound rest.
The base of the compound rest is graduated in degrees.
The taper angle is the angle at which the compound rest to be rotated is calculated by using the
formula tanα = D-d / 21, where, D= bigger diameter, d = smaller diameter, l = length of the
workpiece.

Compound rest can be swivelled to the required angle α. Once the compound rest is set to a
particular angle then the tool is moved by compound rest and wheel.

4.Taper turning attachment

method

• This method is similar to the compound rest method.

• Here the job or workpiece rotates and the tool is fed at the taper angle α.
• In this, arrangement, which has guide block graduated in degrees, with the help of this the
block can be required taper angle to the lathe axis.
• The taper angle is calculated similarly to the compound rest method using the formula:
tanα = D-d / 21.

Advantages of taper turning

attachment:

• Internal tapers can be obtained accurately.

• large size tapers can be easily obtained.
• Once the attachment is set the taper turning operation can do at a faster
rate.
• By setting the taper angle to 'zero' we can carry out plain turning.

Disadvantages of taper turning

attachment:

• It requires additional mounting facilities.

• Fitting and removing attachment consume more time.
• The attachment has to take large forces.

Tailstock set over

method:

Here the workpiece on the job is tilted at the required taper angle. The tool is fed parallel to the
axis.

The tilting of the workpiece or the job to the required taper angle is achieved by the movement
of the tailstock with the help of tailstock set over the screw. This method is useful for small
tapers.

Facing:
It is an operation of reducing the length of the workpiece by feeding the perpendicular to the
lathe axis. This operation of reducing a flat surface on the end of the workpiece. For this
operation, regular turning tool or facing tool may use. The cutting edge of the tool should set to
the same height as the centre of the workpiece.

Read Also: Horizontal Boring Machine [Types, Tools and

Operations]

TheEngineersPost.com Page 6
Lathe Machine Operation

• Facing consist of 2 operations

o Roughing: Here the depth of cut is 1.3mm o
Finishing: Here the depth of cut is 0.2-0.1mm.

Chamfering
operation:

It is the operation of getting a bevelled surface at the edge of a cylindrical workpiece. This
operation is done in case of bolt ends and shaft ends. Chamfering helps to avoid damage to the
sharp edges and protect the operation getting hurt during other operations. Chamfering on bolt
helps to screw the nut easily.
Knurling
operation:

It is an operation of obtaining a diamond shape on the workpiece for the gripping purpose. This
is done to provide a better gripping surface when operated by hands. It is done using a knurling
tool. The tool consists of a set of hardened steel roller, and it is held rigidly on the toolpost.

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Lathe Machine Operation

Knurling is done at the lowest speed available on a lathe. It is done on the handles and also in
case of ends of gauges. The feed varies from 1 to 2 mm per revolution. Two or three cuts may
be necessary to give the full impression.

Read Also: Drilling machine – Parts, It’s Types, Operations and More [Complete Guide]
with PDF

Thread
Cutting:

It is the important operation in the lathe to obtain the continuous ''helical grooves'' or ''
threads''.

When the threads or helical grooves are formed on the out surface of the workpiece is called
external thread cutting. When the threads or helical grooves are formed on the inner surface of
the workpiece is called internal thread cutting. The workpiece is rotating between the two
centres i.e., live centre and dead centre os the lathe.
Here the tool is moved longitudinally to obtain the required type of the thread. When the tool is
moved from right to the left we get the left-hand thread. Similarly, when the tool is moved from
left to the right we get the right-hand thread.

Here the motion of the carriage is provided by the lead screw. A pair of change gears drives the
lead screw and by rotating the handle the depth of cut can be controlled.

Filling:

It is the finishing operation performed after turning. This is done on a lathe to remove burrs,
sharp corners, and feed marks on a workpiece and also to bring it to the size by removing the
very small amount of metal.

The operation consists of passing a flat single-cut file over the workpiece which revolves at a
high speed. The speed is usually twice that of turning.

Polishing:

This operation is performed after filing to improve the surface quality of the workpiece. Polishing
with successively finer grades of emery cloth after filing results in a very smooth, bright surface.
The lathe is run at high speeds from 1500 to 1800m per min, and oil is used on the emery cloth.

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Lathe Machine Operation

Grooving:

It is the process of reducing the diameter of a workpiece over a very narrow surface. It is done
by a groove tool. A grooving tool is similar to the parting-off tool. It is often done at the end of a
thread or adjacent to a shoulder to leave a small margin.

Read Also: Planer Machine: Parts, Types and It’s Working

Principle
Spinning:

it is the process of forming a thin sheet of metal by revolving the job at high speed and pressing
it against a headstock spindle. Support is also given from the tailstock end.

Spring
Winding:

Spring winding is the process of making a coiled spring by passing a wire around a mandrel
which is revolved on a chuck or between centres. A small hole is provided on the steel bar,
which is supported by Tool Post and the wire is allowed to pass through it.

Forming:

It is the process of turning a convex, concave or of any irregular shape. Form-turning may be
accomplished by the following method:

1. Using a forming tool. 2. Combining

cross and longitudinal feed. 3. Tracing or
copying a template.

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Lathe Machine Operation

Forming tools are not supposed to remove much of the material and is used mainly for finishing
formed surfaces. Generally, two types of forming tools are used straight and circular. Straight
type is used for wider surface and the circular type for narrow surfaces.

Read Also: Grinding Machine: Types of Grinding Wheel And Grinding Machine
Operation
2. Operations Done By Holding The Work By A
Chuck
Lathe machine operations performed by holding the work by a chuck or a faceplate or an
angle plate are:

Drilling:

Drilling is the operation of producing a cylindrical hole in a workpiece. It is done by a rotating

tool, the rotating side of the cutter, known as drilling drill. In this operation, The workpiece is
revolving in a chuck or a faceplate and the drill is held in the tailstock drill holder or drill chuck.

The feeding is adopted is affected by the movement of the tailstock spindle. This method is
adopted for the drilling regular-shaped workpiece.

Reaming:

Reaming is the operation of finishing and sizing a hole which has been already drilled or bored.
The tool is used is called the reamer, which has multi-plate cutting edges.

The reamer is held on the tailstock spindle, either directly or through a drill chuck and is held
stationary while the work is revolved at a very slow speed.
Read Also: 15 Different Types of Milling Machines [Full
Guide]

TheEngineersPost.com Page 10
Lathe Machine Operation

Boring:

Boring is the operation of enlarging the hole which is already drilled, punched or forged. It
cannot produce a hole. Boring is similar to the external turning operation and can be performed
in a lathe. In this operation, the workpiece is revolved in a chuck or a faceplate and the tools
which are fitted to the tool post is fed into the work.

It consists of a boring bar having a single-point cutting tool which enlarges the hole. It also
corrects out of roundness of a hole. This method adopted for boring small-sized works only. The
speed of this process is slow.

Counterboring:

Counterboring is the operation of enlarging the end of the hole through a certain distance. It is
similar to a shoulder work in external turning.

The operation is similar to boring and plain boring tools or a counterbore may be used. The tool
is used called a counterbore. The speed is slightly less than drilling.

Taper
Boring:

The principle of turning a tapered hole is similar to the external taper turning operation and is
completed by rotating the work on a chuck or a faceplate. The feeding tool is at an angle to the
axis of rotation of the workpiece.
A boring tool is mounted on the tool post and by swivelling the compound slide to the desired
angle, a short taper hole is machined by hand feeding.

Tapping:

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Lathe Machine Operation

Tapping is the operation of cutting internal threads of small diameter using a multipoint cutting
tool called the tap. In a lathe, the work is mounted on a chuck or on a faceplate and revolved at
a very slow speed. A tap of required size held on a special fixture is mounted on the tailstock
spindle.

Undercutting:

Undercutting is similar to grooving operation when performed inside a hole. It is the process of
boring a groove or a large hole at a fixed distance from the end of a hole.

This is similar to the boring operation, except that a square nose parting is used. Undercutting is
done at the end of an internal thread or a counterbore to provide clearance for the tool or any
part.

Read Also: What is Shaper Machine and The 4 Major Types of Shaper
Machines

3. Lathe Operations Done By Using Special

Attachments
Lathe machine operations are performed by using special
attachments:

Milling:
Milling is the operation of removing metal by feeding the work against a rotating cutter having
multiple cutting edges.

For cutting keyways or grooves, the work is supported on the cross-slide by a special
attachment and fed against a rotating milling cutter held by a chuck. The depth of cut is given by
vertical adjustment of the work provided by the attachment.

The depth of cut is given by verticle adjustment of the work provided by the attachment. The
feeding movement is provided by the carriage and the vertical movement of the cutter is
arranged in the attachment.

Grinding:

Grinding is the operation of removing the metal in the form of minute chips by feeding the work
against a rotating abrasive wheel known as the grinding wheel.

Both internal and external surface of a workpiece may be ground by using a special attachment
mounted on the cross slide. For the grinding external surface, the work may be revolved
between centres or on a chuck. For internal grinding, the work must be revolved on a chuck or
faceplate.

The feeding is done by the carriage and the depth of cut is provided by the cross slide. Grinding
is performed in a lathe for finishing a job, sharpening a cutter, or sizing workpiece after it has
been hardened.
TheEngineersPost.com Page 12
Lathe Machine Operation

Read Next:

• Drilling machine The complete guide – It’s Types, Operations and more [with
pictures]
• Types of lathe machine.

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Manufacturing Process

What is Lathe Machine? Main parts,

Operations and Working
November 9, 2016 Pankaj Mishra 1 Comment Manufacturing Processes, What is

In this article we will study what is lathe machine – main parts, operations and working. Almost
every industry of manufacturing lathe machines is used. It is used to perform various operations
to give the desired shape and size to the job. If an engineering student thinks of doing a job in
any manufacturing industries, then he or she must have a piece of great knowledge about the
lathe machine. In this post, we will discuss the lathe machine, its main parts, working principle,
operations, advantages, and disadvantages with diagram and video tutorial.

What is Lathe Machine?

A lathe is a machine tool which is used to rotate a workpiece to perform various operations such
as turning, facing, knurling, grooving etc., with the help of tools that are applied to the
workpiece.

Working Principle of Lathe Machine

The function of a lathe is to remove metal from a piece of work to give it a desired shape and
size. In a lathe machine, the workpiece rotates against the tool. The tool is used to remove
material from the workpiece. The direction of the motion of the tool is called a feed.

Main Parts of Lathe Machine

The various main parts of lathe machine are

1. Headstock

It is present on the left-hand side of the lathe. It holds the gear train, main spindle, chuck, gear
speed control levers, and feed controllers. It is aligned with the tailstock. The headstock is made
up of cast iron.

(i) Chuck

It is that part of the lathe machine which is used to hold the workpiece. It is attached to the main
spindle of the headstock. It rotates with the spindle and also rotates the workpiece. In the lathe
machine, we generally use three-jaw or four-jaw check. The three jaw of the three jaw chuck is
made to move simultaneously but the jaws of the four jaw chuck moves independently.

(ii) Main Spindle

This part of the lathe machine is used to hold cylindrical work piece within it. It is a hollow shaft
on which the chuck is mounted.

(iii) Feed Selector

It is used to select the direction of the feed i.e. whether we want to move the tool from left to
right or right to left. Feed selector is present on the headstock.
2. Tailstock

It is present at the right-hand side of the lathe. It is used to provide supports to the workpiece. It
supports the workpiece from one end i.e. right end.

3. Bed

It is the main part of the lathe. All the parts of the lathe are bolted on the bed. It comprises of
headstock, tailstock, carriage guideways and other parts. It is made of cast iron.

Guideways

Guideways are present on the bed. As its name indicates it is used to guide the tailstock and
carriage. The tailstock and carriage slide over the guideways. It is an inverted V.

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4. Carriage

The carriage is present in between the headstock and tailstock. It carries apron, saddle,
compound rest, cross slide and tool post.

(i) Tool Post: It is used to hold the tool. It has T-slot for holding the tool. The tool post is bolted
on the carriage.
(ii) Compound Rest: It is used to set the tool at a desired angle for taper turning and other
operations.
(iii) Cross Slide: The cross slide is used to move the tool perpendicular to the axis of the lathe.
(iv) Saddle: The top portion of the carriage is called the saddle. Cross slide is mounted on the
saddle.
(v) Apron: The front portion of the carriage is called apron. It contains all the moving and
control mechanism of the carriage.

5. Lead Screw

The lead screw is used to move the carriage automatically during threading.

6. Feed Rod

It is used to move the carriage from left to right and vice versa.

7. Chip Pan
Chip pan is used to collect the chips that are produced during the lathe operation. It is present at
the bottom of the lathe.

8. Hand Wheel

It is the wheel that is operated by hand to move the cross slide, carriage, tailstock and other parts
that have handwheel.

For Better Explanation of the Main Parts of Lathe Machine, Watch the Video Given
Below:

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Types of Lathe Machine

The lathe machine is generally divided into three types.

1. Engine lathe
2. Turret lathe
3. Special purpose lathe

To know more about types of lathe machine in detail visit the link given below:

Types of Lathe Machine – Mother of all Machines

Lathe Machine Operations

The various operations that we perform on the lathe are:

1. Facing

It is the first operation that is done on the workpiece. It is a machining operation that is done to
produce flat surfaces at the ends of the workpiece. This operation is performed by feeding the
tool perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the chuck.
2. Turning

In turning operation, the excess material is removed from the surface of the workpiece to
produce a cylindrical surface of desired shape and size. During the turning operation, the feed is
moved along the axis of rotation of the chuck. It reduces the diameter of the cylindrical
workpiece.

Also Read:

 What is CNC Machine – Main Parts, Working, Block Diagram

 What is Milling Machine – Operation, Parts and Types.
 How Laser Beam Machining Works?

3. Boring

The process of removing material from hole of the workpiece is called boring. Holes are bored
with the help of single point cutting tool.
4. Drilling

It is the process of making holes in the workpiece by the use of drills. The drill is held in the
tailstock and the drilling operation is done by advancing the drill in the workpiece by rotating the
handle of the tailstock.

5. Reaming

The process of enlarging the holes to accurate sizes is called reaming. Reaming is always
performed after drilling operation. It is similar to the drilling process. The reamer is held in the
tailstock to carry out reaming operation.
6. Counter Boring

The process of boring a hole to more than one diameter on the same axis is called counterboring.
This operation is performed by boring tool.

7. Knurling

It is the process of making indentations (recess or sharp depression) on the border of a

workpiece. The knurling operation is done to provide a better grip to the job. It is performed by
the knurling tool. The knurling tool is pressed against the job to perform the knurling operation.
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8. Chamfering

Chamfering is the process of beveling the extreme ends of a workpiece. It is done in order to
remove the burrs, to protect the end of the workpiece from being damaged and to have a better
look.

9. Parting Off

It is the process of cutting a workpiece after it has been machined to the required shape and size.
10. Grooving

The process of creating a narrow slot on the workpiece is called grooving. It is also known as
recessing or necking

11. Forming

It is process in which a convex, concave or any irregular surface is formed on the workpiece with
the help of a forming tool. Forming tool having the required shape is used to perform forming
operation.
12. Taper Turning

It is the process in which a conical shape is produced on the workpiece. During taper turning the
feed is set at an angle to the workpiece.

13. Threading

The process of making threads on a cylindrical job is called threading

14. Undercutting

In the undercutting operation, we enlarge the diameter if done internally and decrease the
diameter if done externally. It is done at the end of the hole, near the stepped shoulder of a
cylindrical surface and at the end of a threaded portion in the blot.

14. Eccentric Turning

It is a turning operation in which turning is performed at a different axis on a single setting of a

job. This method of turning is generally used to produce crankshafts and camshafts.

Working of Lathe Machine

For the working of the lathe machine must watch the video given below. It is lengthy but very
useful.

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line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>

Application of Lathe Machine

 The lathe machine is used in metal working, wood turning, metal spinning, parts
reclamation, thermal spraying, and glass working.
 It can be used to shape pottery, the potter’s wheel is the latest well-known design made
by a lathe.
 If we have most suitably equipped metal lathe then it can be used to produce most solids
of revolution, plane surfaces, and screw threads or helices.
 Ornamental lathes can produce three-dimensional solids of incredible complexity.
 Examples of various objects that are produced by lathe are candlestick holders, gun
barrels, cue sticks, table legs, bowls, baseball bats, musical instruments, crankshafts, and
camshafts.

In this article we have learned about what is lathe machine – main parts, operations and
working. If you find anything missing or incorrect than comment us. And if you find this article
informative, than don’t forget to like and share.

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May 24, 2018 0

What is a lathe machine and its parts explain
briefly?
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2 Answers

Saif Mulla, Engineer (2011-present)

Answered Jul 29, 2018 · Author has 96 answers and 74.2k answer views

The lathe and types of lathe machines are defined as the machine tool, which used for different
machining operation such as turning, facing, threading etc.

A lathe is a tool that rotates the workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations
such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, and turning, with tools that are
applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about that axis.

The main function of a lathe is to remove the metal from a workpiece to give a required size and
shape. In lathe machine tool is held and a workpiece is rotating about an axis rotation to perform
various operations with different tools.

The lathe machine is primarily used to produce cylindrical surfaces and plane surfaces at a right
angle to the axis of rotation. It can also produce tapers and bellows etc.

Most suitable lathes can also be still using for produce most solids of revolutions, plane surfaces
& screw threads etc.

the functions of the lathe are to remove the metal from the workpiece to required shape and size
and to hold the workpiece securely and rigidly.

2. Parts of Lathe Machine

The following are the main parts of all types of lathe machine.

1. Bed
2. headstock
3. Carriage
4. Feed mechanism
5. Tailstock
6. Screw or thread cutting mechanism
7. Feed rod
8. Lead screw

2.1 Bed

The lathe bed is the base of the machine, which is a solid structure. It should be provided strictly
under heavy pressure.

On the top of the bed, has the V-type of guideways include the angle of 90°. There are two
guideways provided, inner ways and outer ways, which are accurately machined to make them
parallel to the axis.

The lathe should take up the varies vibrations, which are causing due to different types of force.
The guideways provide sliding surfaces to the carriage and the tailstock.
The lathe bed must-resist stresses due to results of two important forces,

 The downward cutting force on the tool

 The force tending to move the tool away from the workpiece in a horizontal direction.

2.2 Headstock

It is located on the left-hand side of the lathe bed. It has a hollow spindle and the different types
of mechanism for driving and changing the speed of the spindle.

In this case, the speed increases when the belt is shifted from larger to smaller diameter pulleys.

The spindle is made up of nickel, chrome steel and carbon steel. The front end of the spindle hole
is taper for holding the centres perfectly.

The speed changing is based on the following conditions,

 The type of material to be cutHard and tough materials like cast iron – slow speedSoft
materials like aluminium, brass – high speed.
 Type of cutting tool materialFor high – speed hard tools made of tungsten carbide is
used.For slow – speed medium hardness tool is used.
 The type of finish-finishing cut-small depth-high speedRough cut – high depth – low
speed.
 The diameter of the workpieceFor large diameter workpiece – low speedFor smaller
diameter workpiece – high speed
 Type of operationFor turning, boring, drilling – high speedFor thread cutting, tapping,
reaming – low speed

2.3 Tailstock

The tailstock is located on the right-hand side of the lathe bed. The tailstock supports the other
end of the workpiece when it is machining between two centres.

It holds the tool rigidly and perfectly for performing operations such as drilling, reaming,
tapping, and boring.

It can move along the guideways and can clamp in any position on the bed.

The tailstock is consist of the dead centre, spindle, adjusting screw, hand wheel, etc.

The spindle can move forward and backward of the body called barrel by means of a hand wheel.

The keyway is provided on the inside surface of the barrel to hold the dead centre.
2.4 Carriage

The carriage is one of the most important parts of the lathe tool and it will serve as a supporting,
moving and controlling part of the cutting tool.

 It consists of the following parts,

2.4.1 Saddle:

It is ‘H’ shaped. The saddle fits over the bed and slides along the guideways by carrying the
cross slide and tool post. It can lock in any position in its movement.

2.4.2 Cross slide:

It is an attachment to the saddle and to the compound rest. The cross slide move by the turning
handwheel.

Transverse movement is obtained when the nut mounted on the feed screw is engaged with the
binder screw of the cross slide.

When a taper turning attachment is used the binder screw is open to disconnect the cross slide
from crossfeed screw and the cross slide is attached to the guide block. Cross slide can move
automatically when the pinion is keyed to the crossfeed screw is in mesh with the apron gearing.

2.4.3 Compound rest:

It is a circular base, graduated in degrees and it is used to obtain angular cuts and tapers of the
variable cross-section.

It consists of compound slide handwheel, compound slide feed screw, compound slide nut. The
compound slide handwheel is mainly used in taper turning operation to give the feed.

2.4.4 Tool post:

The tool post is placed above the compound rest and it holds the tool firmly. There are different
types of tool post,

 Single screw tool post

 Four-way tool post
 Eight-way tool post

2.5 Feed mechanism

The amount of the tools relative to the workpiece is called ‘Feed’.

 A lathe tool has 3 types of feedLongitudinal feed: Here the tool moves parallel to the
lathe axis. It is affected by means of carriage movement.Crossfeed: Here the tool moves
at right angles to the lathe axis.Angular feed: By adjusting the compound slide and
swivelling it to required angle to the lathe axis.

Cross and longitudinal feeds are both hand and power operated, but angular is only hand
operated.

2.6 Screw or Thread cutting mechanism

The lathe is important to the machine tool, which is used to cut the required type of threads on a
given work.

The rotation of the screw is used to move the tool along the workpiece to produce the screw
threads.

The half-nut mechanism is used in the lathe.

2.7 Feed rod:

It is a long shaft having a keyway extends from the feed box across and in front of the bed.

The power is transmitted from the lathe spindle to the apron gears through the feed rod.

The feed rod is mainly using to move the carriage or cross slide for the operations such as
turning, boring, facing and all other considering the thread cutting operation.

2.8 Lead screw:

It is a long threaded shaft used for only thread cutting operation. The lead screw is in arranged
position in all operations from the gearbox.

It may also be used to give the motion for turning, boring, etc., in the lathes which are equipped
with a feed rod.
Source: https://www.theengineerspost.com...

9.8k views · View 4 Upvoters

Indraj, B.Tech Machinery & Mechanical Engineering, Engineering (2019)

Answered Mar 30, 2019

lathe machine introduction

The lathe machine is a power mechanical device in which the work is held and rotated against a
suitable cutting from a cutting tool for producing the cylindrical form in the metal, wood or any
other machineable material.

The principle of lathe machine is that it holds the work between two strong sports called as a
center or in a cheek or face plate which revolves.T he chuck of the center is mounted on the main
spindle of the machine. The cutting tool is rigidly supported in a tool port and it is feed against
the rotating job. The job rotate in its axis and the tool is moved either parallel to an inclination
with its axis such as a cylindrical or tapered surface is produced

Learn about various types of machine and their mechanism visit SIMPLE MECHANISM

Lathe machine main part operation and working

Bed

The bed is the function of a lathe machine it is spotted on board box column and is made of cast
iron. it consists of two heavy metals slides running lengthwise with ways unit which is mounted
on the bed are the headstock, tailstock and the carriage.

Watch this video in more details

PARTS OF LATHE MACHINE IN HINDI

Headstock

It spots the main spindle in the bearing and aligns it properly. It also houses a necessary
transmission mechanism with speed changing liver to obtain different speeds.T he cone Pulley or
gear should be used to change the speed of the spindle. Holding device which is mounted on
headstock spindle.

Three jaws chuck

Four jaws chuckFaceplateCollet ChuckMagnet chuck lathe dog

Main spindle

In a hollow cylindrical shaft and the long cylindrical job can passes through the main spindle.
The spindle end facing the tailstock is called spindle nose. The spindle nose has a morse taper
hole and Threads on the outside. The Morse taper is used to accommodate center or collet chuck
or threaded portion of the chuck.

Tailstock

It is a movable part locating opposite to headstock on the way of the Bed. It is capable of sliding
along the bed maintaining its alignment with the headstock. On medium size and small lathe it is
moved along the bed manually, where are heavier lathes it is moved by hand wheel through a
pinion that meshes with a rack provided in front of a lathe bed. It is used for four purpose

1. To support free end during machining

2. To hold a tool for performing an operation like drilling reaming tapering

3.To Centre the job and the tool before any lathe operations

4. To help in the operation of taper turning by tailstock set over method

Carriage

It is located between headstock and tailstock. It can slide along bed guide-way and can be locked
at any position by tightening the carriage lock screw. It consists of flowing main parts

Apron

It is fastened to the saddle. it consists of gear and clutches for transmitting motion from feed rod
and handwheel to the careers. Also, split nut which engaged with the lead screw during
threading. The clutches mechanism is used to transmit motion from feed rod wheres the split nut
along with the lead screw move the carriage during thread cutting.

Saddle

It is made up of H shaped casting. It aids saddle to slide on bed guideway by operating

handwheel.

Compound Rest

It sports the tool post and cutting tools in its various position. It may be swiveled on the cross
slide to any angle in the horizontal plane.
Cross Slide

It provides with a female dovetail on one side and assembled on top of saddle having a male
dovetail.

Tool post

It is used to hold various tool holder and tools. Types of tool post commonly used

Ring and Rocker tool post

Square head tool post

Quick change tool post

Legs

They are a sport which carries an entire load of the Machines. The left leg act as a housing for
the motor the pulley and the countershaft at the same time that right leg act as a housing or the
coolant tank, pump, and the connecting pipes

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