lathe
Sign in to savethumb|upright=1.35|Modern metal lathe thumb|upright=1.35|A watchmaker using a lathe to prepare a component cut from copper for a watch A lathe () is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, threading and turning, with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about that axis.
AI overview
A lathe is a machine tool that spins a workpiece on an axis while tools shape it through cutting, sanding, drilling, and other operations to create symmetrical objects. Lathes are important because they enable precise manufacturing of cylindrical and rounded components used in everything from watch parts to metal products.
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Article
25 sectionsContents
- History
- Design
- Components
- Accessories
- Modes of use
- Sizes
- Varieties
- Uses
- Woodworking
- Duplicating
- Patternmaking
- Metalworking
- Cue lathes
- Glass-working
- Metal-spinning
- Ornamental turning
- Reducing
- Rotary lathes
- Watchmaking
- Transcription or recording
- Performance
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|upright=1.35|Modern metal lathe thumb|upright=1.35|A watchmaker using a lathe to prepare a component cut from copper for a watch A lathe () is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, threading and turning, with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about that axis.
Lathes are used in woodturning, metalworking, metal spinning, thermal spraying, reclamation, and glass-working. Lathes can be used to shape pottery, the best-known such design being the potter's wheel. Most suitably equipped metalworking lathes can be used to produce most solids of revolution, plane surfaces, and screw threads or helices. Ornamental lathes can produce more complex three-dimensional solids. The workpiece is usually held in place by either one or two centers, at least one of which can typically be moved horizontally to accommodate varying workpiece lengths. Other work-holding methods include clamping the work about the axis of rotation using a chuck or collet, or attaching it to a faceplate using clamps or dog clutch. Lathes equipped with special lathe milling fixtures can be used to complete milling operations.