What is CNC LATHE
A lathe is typically used in glass-making, metalworking, thermal spraying, metalworking, metal spinning, and woodturning. The workpiece is usually held by one or two centers, at least one of which can be shifted horizontally to accommodate workpieces of various lengths. Older production lathes are being quickly replaced by CNC lathes because of their simplicity in setup, use, repeatability, and accuracy. One sort of CNC machining is CNC lathe work.
What is a CNC lathe?
A machine controlled by a computer system is referred to as a CNC machine, which stands for computer numerical control. Parts are machined to exact specifications using a CNC lathe and detailed design instructions. The material or part is maintained in place and turned by the main spindle of a CNC lathe as the cutting tool that works on the material is placed and moved on different axes. Numerous operations are available, such as taper turning, hard turning, spherical milling, facing, parting off, knurling, drilling, grooving, and more. In contrast to a traditional lathe, CNC lathes are run using precise design instructions and programs to meet the needs of CNC machining with more productivity and accuracy.
advantages of CNC lathes
More capacity
Improved accuracy
Improved safety
Reduced turnaround time
CNC Lathe Types：
The number of axes on a CNC lathe determines what type it is. They can make more complex pieces without having to manually switch between different machines or equipment because they are available with several axes. During the machining process, the multiple axes have an impact on how the tool or the machined object can be positioned, turned, and approached.
CNC 2-Axis Lathe
This entry-level CNC lathe includes two linear axes that can be used for facing operations, such as drilling and tapping at the part's center, and machining operations for the outer and inner diameters, which are essentially cylindrical operations. It has an X and Z axis but is not milling capable.
CNC 3-Axis Lathe
A C axis and life tool system are added to a 3-axis CNC lathe, enabling the workpiece to be positioned for common milling operations like boring and tapping. It is feasible to do helical milling operations that call for the workpiece to rotate slowly in sync.
CNC 4-Axis Lathe
An additional Y-axis is added to a 4-axis machine to enable off-center machining operations. When turning more complex and irregular shapes, the fourth axis is useful.
CNC 5-Axis Lathe
A second turret is added to a 3-axis CNC lathe in 5-axis lathes. These machines would then feature the C-axis on the revolving spindle in addition to two axes at each upper and lower turret. Due to the ability to use two tools simultaneously on the component, machining speed is significantly increased.
Applications for CNC lathes
A CNC lathe gently shears away the material it is turning. A precisely finished item or a complex component is the end result. Numerous industries, including those in the automobile, electronics, aerospace, manufacturing of firearms, sports, and others use these devices because of their versatility.
Additionally, the machining requirements could be used to categorize CNC lathes.
1) High-speed lathe: straightforward construction with a headstock, tailstock, and tool holder that offers three or four speeds.
2) Engine lathe: The most popular type of lathe that can work with a variety of metals in long sizes and at different speeds.
3) Turret lathe: multi-functional due to the installation of tool storage in the turret design.
4) Toolroom lathe: A starter model for new and small companies.
The CNC lathe can be divided into the following categories based on where the spindle is located.
1) Vertical CNC lathe: The workpiece is clamped using a large diameter circular table, and the spindle of the lathe is perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
2) Horizontal CNC lathe: This type of lathe can be further subdivided into flatbed CNC lathes and slant bed machine tools. The slant bed type has a more sturdy frame and facilitates chip removal.
Considerations
Care must be taken when using a CNC lathe. Although the process is automated, an operator still needs to be familiar with safety regulations, computer programming parameters, and other crucial information. A trained expert must operate the lathe due of its attention to detail. Automation, which comprises of sophisticated commands and speed instructions from an internal computer, simplifies manufacturing processes, but a human operator must still supervise the entire process. This implies that specialized training is necessary to acquire the required abilities.
There are numerous things to take into account when picking the best CNC lathe machine, including the precision of the clamps used to hold the workpiece steady and the machine's tolerance level. When selecting a CNC machine, weight is an important consideration. Heavy machinery can withstand the demanding vibrations and other processes that reduce a CNC lathe's efficiency. A lightweight CNC lathe might lose balance more easily, which can affect the finished product.
Another factor to take into account is swing measurement. It is the largest diameter of any material that can be machined or cut on a lathe. This distance is measured from the spindle's center to the lathe's bed. When selecting a CNC lathe, this measurement will be useful if the intended output size is known.
Conclusion
The fundamentals of a CNC lathe, the many types of CNC lathes, and a few factors that manufacturers and machine shops may take into account when determining whether CNC lathing is the best option for their specific machining application are all outlined above. If you need details on the products and services available for creating custom CNC machine you can visit our website that you will undoubtedly find what you need there.
