A center lathe, also known as a conventional lathe, is a type of machine tool that is

commonly used for various metalworking operations. It is designed to remove

material from a rotating workpiece, also known as the stock, to create cylindrical or
conical shapes.

The center lathe consists of a headstock, bed, tailstock, and carriage. The headstock
contains the spindle, which holds the workpiece and rotates it at high speeds. The
tailstock is used to support the other end of the workpiece, and the carriage moves
along the bed to position the cutting tool.

The center lathe can perform various operations, including turning, facing, drilling,
boring, reaming, tapping, and threading. Turning is the most common operation,
which involves removing material from the outer surface of the workpiece to create a
cylindrical shape. Facing is an operation that removes material from the end of the
workpiece to create a flat surface.

Drilling is an operation that creates a hole in the workpiece, while boring enlarges an
existing hole. Reaming is an operation that finishes a hole to a precise size, and
tapping creates internal threads in a hole. Threading is an operation that creates
external threads on a cylindrical or conical surface.

The center lathe is a versatile machine tool that is widely used in various industries,
including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. It requires skilled operators
who can set up and operate the machine to produce high-quality parts.

In summary, the center lathe is a type of machine tool that is used for various
metalworking operations, including turning, facing, drilling, boring, reaming, tapping,
and threading. It consists of a headstock, bed, tailstock, and carriage and requires
skilled operators to produce high-quality parts.