METAL-CUTTING MACHINES LATHES
A lathe is known to be essentially a machine tool for producing and finishing surfaces of work pieces. The machine is designed to hold and revolve work around an axis of rotation so that it may be subjected to the action of a cutting tool moving in a horizontal plane through the axis of the work. When the cutting tool moves in a longitudinal direction or parallel to the axis, the operation is known as "turning"; when it moves in a transverse direction, it is known as "facing". In addition to turning and boring, which the machine is primarily designed for, many other operations, such as drilling, threading, tapping, and, by employing special adapters grinding and milling, may be performed on a lathe.
Lathes used in shop practice are known to be of different designs and sizes. These lathes fall into various types, either according to their characteristic constructional features, or according to the work for which they are designed. The size of a lathe is determined by the diameter and length of work that may be swung between centers. Lathes of comparatively small size, which may be mounted on a bench, are termed bench lathes, and are intended for small work of considerable accuracy; lathes provided with tools held in a revolvable turret are called "turret lathes": lathes in which work pieces to be treated are held in a chuck are known as "chucking lathes"; lathes in which most of operations are performed automatically are named "automatic lathes".
Besides there are also many special-purpose lathes such as crankshaft lathes and wheel lathes for turning crankshafts or engine driving wheels respectively; screw-cutting lathes for threading screws, etc. The engine lathe used for metal-turning operations is fitted with a power-actuated carriage and cross-slide for clamping and holding the cutting tool. In engine lathes the cutting tools are generally guided by the machine tool itself, in other words, they are operated mechanically, while in some lathes the cutting tools are guided by hand. The engine lathe consists essentially of the following basic parts: the bed, the headstock, the tailstock, the feed mechanism, and the carriage.