Lathe processes
When setting up the lathe, the workpiece (the material to be machined) must be placed on the fork and clamped between the centre. Before this can happen, the workpiece need some prep work and the machine needs adjustments.
The work piece must have the ends cut across the corners so that the fork fits into the workpiece and the centre is located at the opposite end. The workpiece also must have the corners removed by planning these edges so that the lathe tools have less impact on them. This also speeds up the cutting process.
Once the work piece is loaded on the machine, the workpiece is turned to makes sure it doesn't interfere with the tool rest. The height of the tool rest is adjusted so the cutting edge of the tools cut on or above the centre line of the workpiece. The speed of the machine is checked so it's suitable for the size and finish required.
Larger objects will have a slower speed as the weight will contribute to the speed.
Types of processes involved in lathes: -
- Parallel – is cutting waste material parallel to the centre give a cylindrical shape
- Parting – is to cut notches grooves or indents
- Coves – cutting a rounded indents into the material
- Beads – cutting a rounded corners onto the material
- Tapers – cutting chamfers or tapered edges onto the material