I.

TURRET & CAPSTAN LATHES

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CENTRE /ENGINE LATHE AND TURRET LATHE

1. Head stock of turret lathe is heavier and provided with wide range of speeds.
2. In turret lathe tailstock is replaced by turret head which holds six or more tools. Also a four way tool
post (square tool post) on cross slide and a rear tool post on carriage holds additional tools. In engine
lathe only one tool is held in standard tool post.
3. In turret lathe two or more cutting tools are used simultaneously whereas in engine lathe only one
tool is used at once.
4. In turret lathes feed stops are used.
5. In turret lathes rapid machining of identical parts is possible with initial setup.
6. Turrets lathes are not usually fitted with lead screw and threads are cut by die heads and taps.
7. Turrets lathes are made extremely rigid to permit multiple and combined cuts.
8. Turrets lathes are suitable for mass production whereas engine lathe are not economical for mass
production.
CAPSTAN LATHE
Capstan lathe is ram type lathe in which hexagonal turret is mounted on a ram. The saddle, which
supports ram, is clamped to the bed. The lathe is light construction and has a short turret stroke and an
automatic index on turret.

Main parts of Capstan Lathe are

1. Bed:
Long casting fitted with guideways which supports head stock, turret saddle and cross slide saddle.
2. Head Stock:
 It is located on the left end of bed and used control spindle speeds and houses spindle, speed change
mechanism and change gears.
3. Turret:
Tool holding device in the form of hexagon and is mounted on ram (auxiliary slide). Specially
designed tools are attached to faces of hexagonal turret and is brought into position for different
operations.
4. Turret Saddle:
It supports ram (auxiliary saddle) and is moved over the bed and clamped in any position.
5. Cross slide and carriage:
Cross slide is mounted on carriage. A four way tool post is placed at the front and a standard tool
post is placed at the rear of the cross slide. It is used for facing, forming and cutting off bar stock.
Carriage is mounted on lathe bed and moves parallel to lathe bed. Cutting tools are fed to
work by movement of carriage and cross slide.

Turret Lathe
Turret lathe is a saddle type lathe in which hexagonal turret is mounted directly on a saddle which
slides on the guideways of the bed. It is heavier and rigid.
The main parts of turret lathe are shown in figure.

Main parts of Capstan Lathe are

1. Bed:
Long casting fitted with guideways which supports head stock, turret saddle and cross slide saddle.
2. Head Stock:
 It is located on the left end of bed and used control spindle speeds and houses spindle, speed change
mechanism and change gears.

3. Turret:
Tool holding device in the form of hexagon and is mounted on turret saddle. Specially designed
tools are attached to faces of hexagonal turret and is brought into position for different operations.
4. Turret Saddle:
It supports turret tool head and is moved over the bed to feed tools to work. It is heavier and rigid.
5. Cross slide and carriage:
Cross slide is mounted on carriage. A four way tool post is placed at the front and a standard tool
post is placed at the rear of the cross slide. It is used for facing, forming and cutting off bar stock.
Carriage is mounted on lathe bed and moves parallel to lathe bed. Cutting tools are fed to
work by movement of carriage and cross slide.

Difference between Capstan & Turret Lathes

1. In capstan lathe turret head is mounted on ram which slides on the saddle, whereas in turret lathe
turret head is mounted on the saddle which directly slides on lathe bed.
2. In capstan lathe movement of the turret is short, whereas in turret of turret lathe can be moved on the
entire length of bed.
3. Turret lathe are used for performing machining operations in forgings and castings, whereas capstan
lathe is suitable for bar stock and smaller works.
4. Turret lathe is heavier than capstan lathe.
5. Turret lathe can accommodate larger bars ranging from 125 mm to 200 mm, whereas capstan lathes
maximum diameter of bar is 60 mm.
6. Power operated chucks are used in turret lathes, whereas in capstan lathe hand operated collet chucks
are used.
7. Hand feeding in capstan lathe is easier than turret lathe because of lighter weight of ram and shorter
distance of turret head movement.
TURRET INDEXING MECHANISM FOR CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHES
Turret can be indexed along with its forward and backward (to and fro) movement. Figure shows inner
view of turret.
The plunger locks the index plate and thus prevents the rotary motion of turret during its forward motion.
Indexing of turret is done during its backward motion. At the time of indexing the actuating cam lifts the
plunger from the groove of index plate and thus unlocks index plate. By this time the spring loaded
indexing pawl engages with indexing ratchet and rotates the ratchet. This causes the indexing plate and
turret head to rotate through one-sixth of revolution. After indexing the plunger locks the indexing plate
in the next groove and indexing pawl is released from the ratchet.
BAR FEEDING MECHANISM IN CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHES
The purpose of bar feeding mechanism is to feed the bar forward through spindle to bar stop when collet
chuck opens after completing first work piece without stopping the machine.
The bar is passed through the bar holding chuck, headstock spindle and then through the collet chuck.
The bar chuck rotates in the groove of a sliding block which is mounted on a long guide bar. The weight
attached to the chain exerts thrust all the time on sliding block, thus also to the bar chuck. This forces the
bar through the spindle when the collet chuck opens. Thus the bar is fed without stopping the machine.
WORK HOLDING DEVICES IN CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHES
1. Collets
2. Chucks
3. Fixtures
COLLETS
Collets are used to grip bars passing through headstock spindle. They are suitable for mass production
due to their quick action and accurate centering. Collets grip and releases the work by spring action of is
jaws.

Chucks
Workpieces of short length, large diameter and irregular shapes, which cannot be introduced through
head stock spindle and gripped by collets are held in chuck.

Three Jaw Self-Centering Chuck

The three jaws fitted in the three slots may be made to slide at the same time by an equal amount by
rotating any one of the three screws by a chuck key. This type of chuck is suitable for holding and
rotating regular shaped workpieces like round or hexagonal rods about the axis of the lathe. Workpieces
of irregular shapes cannot be held by this chuck.
The work is held quickly and easily as the three jaws move at the same time.

Four Jaw Independent Chuck

Commonly used for holding irregular shaped work pieces. There are four jaws in this chuck. Each jaw is
moved independently by rotating a screw with the help of a chuck key. A particular jaw may be moved
according to the shape of the work. Hence this type of chuck can hold woks of irregular shapes. But it
requires more time to set the work aligned with the lathe axis.

FIXTURES
Fixtures are used when the work piece cannot be held in a chuck or collet due to its shape. It is specially
designed to locate and hold a work piece. It also permit quick loading and unloading of work pieces.

TOOL HOLDING DEVICES IN CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHES

Standard type single point tools are used in four-way tool post (square turret) and rear tool post. The
cutting tools used in hexagonal turret require special holding devices. The following tool holders are
widely used on capstan or turret lathe.
1. Straight cutter holder
2. Multiple cutter holder
3. Knee tool holder
4. Flange tool holder
5. Knurling tool holder
6. Form tool holder
7. Roller steady tool holder
8. Die holder
Straight Cutter Holder:
The tool is mounted perpendicular to the holder shank axis by set screws. The shank of the holder is
mounted directly to the hole of the turret face. It is used for turning, facing and chamfering etc.
Multiple Cutter Holder:
It can accommodate two tools in its body. It is used for taking multiple cuts.

Knee Tool Holder:

It is bolted directly into the turret face. It is used for simultaneous turning and drilling/boring.
Additional support is given by the pilot bar which is located inside the bush. For drilling/boring, the tool
is set in the central axis which coincides with the lathe axis.

Flange Tool Holder:

Flange tool holder or extension holder is bolted to hexagonal turret. It is used for holding boring bars,
centres and shank type tools.
Knurling Tool Holder:
It is fitted to turret face. The knurls can be adjusted to work on different diameters.

Form Tool Holder:

Form tool is usually held on cross slide.
Roller Steady Tool Holder:
Two rollers and a tool are contained in a box-like structure. Both rollers are independently mounted on
slides which can be adjusted for different diameters of work. Advantages are improved surface finish and
accurate work due to no deflection of work piece.
 Fig: Roller Steady Tool Holder Fig: Straight Form Tool Holder
Die Holder:
Self opening die head is used for cutting external threads in capstan lathe. Advantages – accurate threads
are produced, reduction in machine time.
CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHE OPERATIONS
All operations that are performed in engine lathe can also be performed on capstan & turret lathes. These
operations include plain turning, taper turning, facing, knurling, drilling, reaming, parting, thread cutting
etc.
THREAD CUTTING ON CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHES
On capstan & turret lathe external threads are cut either by using a self-opening die or by using a thread
chaser held in front tool post. Internal threads are cut using standard tap, collapsible tap or chaser.
EXTERNAL THREAD CUTTING WITH SELF-OPENING DIE
Self-opening die consists of four chasers which are equally spaced. Rotation of adjustable screw moves
these chasers either towards or away from the centre. For thread cutting the die head is mounted on the
turret head and is fed to work at reduced speed. Gentle pressure allow chaser to cut threads on the bar.

EXTERNAL THREAD CUTTING WITH CHASER

For cutting external threads on larger diameter work piece chasers are used. The chaser is held in front
tool post and is moved related to work by engaging lead screw.
 (a) External Thread Cutting (b) Internal Thread Cutting
INTERNAL THREAD CUTTING WITH COLLAPSIBLE TAPS
The tap is held in the holder and fed into the work slowly. By reversing the spindle, tap can be
withdrawn from work.
Chasers are also used for internal thread cutting as shown in fig (b).
INTERNAL THREAD CUTTING WITH COLLAPSIBLE TAPS
Collapsible taps are used for cutting threads in holes of larger diameters, i.e., above 25mm.
It is the reverse process to that of self-opening die. Adjustable chasers are placed in the tap body at preset
diameter. These chasers collapse at the end of cut by external pressure on tap. A handle is used to
withdraw the tap and to lock the chaser again at preset diameter. The mechanism enables quick
withdrawal of the tap after cutting of thread.
SPECIFIACATION OF CAPSTAN & TURRET LATHES
The size of a capstan or turret lathe designated by the following
1. The maximum diameter of bar that can be accommodated in headstock spindle.
2. Swing diameter of work that can be rotated over the lathe bedways.
3. Number of spindle speeds
4. Diameter of hole through spindle
5. Size of electric motor
6. Length and width of lathe bed

HYDRAULIC CONTROLS IN MACHINE TOOLS

Many of modern machine tools are provided with hydraulic controls. The motion of ram, table and tool
are controlled very effectively by hydraulic pressure.
Advantages of Hydraulic Systems
1. Provide a wide number of speeds over a wide range.
2. Quick and smooth reversals of machine components are possible without any damage.
3. Automatic overload protection
4. Easy lubrication
5. Hydraulic system is simple, light weight and compact (smaller size).
Disadvantages of hydraulic Systems
1. Leakage of hydraulic fluid through seals and joints
2. Air entering the system makes the movement of machine elements non-unifrom.
3. Fluid properties are affected by temperature change
4. Overall efficiency is low
5. Hydraulic system is not very rigid

II. AUTOMATIC & COPYING LATHES

Definition of Automation
 Automation is the use of machines and technology to make process run on their own without
man power.
OR
 Automation is the creation and application of technology to monitor and control the production
and delivery of products and services.
Advantages of Automation
 Reduce human involvement
 Reduce work piece damage caused by manual handling of work pieces
 Less wastage through automatic controls
 Raise the level of safety particularly in hazardous working conditions
 Increase productivity
 Decrease unit cost
 Improve accuracy
 More resource utilization with better safety
Disadvantages
1. Initial and maintenance costs are high
2. Only economical for mass production
3. Indirect cost for research, development and programming increases.