A conventional lathe is a machine that is capable of turning raw material into cylindrical parts. It is used in various industries and is considered as a versatile piece of machinery. The main features of a conventional lathe are a workpiece, a chuck, a single-point cutting tool, and a turret. These types of machines are characterized by high precision and rigidity. In addition, they offer a good surface finish.
CNC lathes are characterized by computer numerical control systems, which operate through the use of CAM software. This technology allows the operator to produce precise pieces with minimal human intervention. While this type of machining can be used to manufacture a wide variety of parts, it requires a dedicated operator and a large amount of experience. This means that the quality of the part produced will be dependent on the experience of the operator.
Conventional lathes are based on a mechanical system that rotates the cutting tool and the workpiece. The chuck holds the workpiece while the main spindle drives the workpiece through the process. To keep the workpiece in place, the chuck is held by a precision roller bearing. When the chuck revolves, the material is moved along the main spindle, which is connected to a guide way.
Despite their disadvantages, lathes have served manufacturing spaces for decades. They are versatile, allowing the user to perform several operations on the workpiece, such as parting, grooving, and threading. They provide a smooth surface finish and a wide tolerance range. However, the tolerance is affected by the type of material and the dimensions.
CNC lathes are fast and accurate. They are also capable of producing complex shapes. Compared to conventional lathes, they are more flexible and require less operators. Ed mill sharpener Moreover, they allow the use of specialized tools. Consequently, they are ideal for job shops, workshops, and repair shops. They are highly versatile and can be used for a wide variety of materials, including plastic, metal, wood, and other non-ferrous substances.
A conventional lathe is generally operated by a skilled technician, who uses manual gears to move the chuck and the single-point cutting tool. Depending on the model, the turret can be able to hold up to twelve tools at a time. Some models are semi-automatic, meaning that one operator can only supervise the operation of the machine.
Using a conventional lathe, a skilled machinist can produce a variety of parts with varying degrees of accuracy. But a skilled operator will still need to spend a significant amount of time in monitoring the indicators and controlling the feeds. Considering the fact that a skilled operator needs to be able to work on a variety of materials, this can increase the cost of operating the machine.
CNC lathes are more powerful and efficient. They can be used to produce a wide variety of complex and intricate parts. Besides, they are much faster than conventional machines. Moreover, they eliminate many of the errors associated with manual machining.