Uses of Lathe

Lathes have a wide range of uses in the modern era. Let’s see the uses of lathes in various fields one by one.

Diamond turning: The diamond turning is a complex and high precision multistage process carried out using a range of CNC (computer numerical control) lathes. It is equipped with synthetic or natural diamond tipped elements for precision cutting. It is used to make optical elements used in telescopes, instruments for scientific research, TV projectors, and missile guidance systems etc, from crystals, glass, metals, acrylic and other materials.

Metal spinning: Metal spinning is also known as spin forming. It is a process in which a metal tube or disc is rotated in high speed to produce decorative items and commercial items. A series of CNS lathes are used for this. It is used in the crafting of lighting articles, decorative items for house hold and beautiful urns. The industrial applications of this process are crafting of cones of rocket, gas cylinders, cook wares, brass bells etc.

Metal working: Metal working is another important field where lathes are widely used. Metal work creates individual delicate parts to form large structures like ships, bridges and jewellery and oil refineries. It requires skills as well as large number of specified tools. It has a vast application in jewellery design, trade, art and industrial applications.

Milling machines: In most of the Milling machines the lathe used is CNC type and is having wide range of applications. It is usually used to create tool paths which are complex and need high precision and accuracy. Milling machines are used for various tool path operations such as drilling, rebating, routing, planning and slot cutting.

Woodturning: The process of turning wood is used to create many intricate designed products on wood by using various kinds of lathes. Woodturning is different from other woodwork processes. In this the wood piece will rotate, keeping the cutting tool stationary to shape the wood to different shapes. Spindle turning and faceplate turning are the two different methods for turning the wood piece.

Woodworks: Wood works was popular from the ancient times. Egyptians and Chinese are the two civilizations, who used woodwork in drawings, furniture and even on tombs. Lathes are used to shape wood for chairs, beds, chests, stools etc. In wood work the role of lathes is indispensable. There are various types of lathes exclusively developed and used in woodworks industries.

Mandrel: The patent Mandrel was designed by William Denham Verschoyle. It is a set of lathe accessories for cutting and turning of wood using hands. The items can be used to work on metals also. It is very easy to mount wood on it and it requires not much space for its operation. But commercially, the machine was not a success.

Segmented turning: Segmented turning of wood uses lathe to shape many small wood pieces. Later all the pieces are glued together in some pattern to form wonderful objects. It is also known as polychromatic turning. Segmented turning process is used to give wonderful visual effects for a single object. The cutting and reassembling of various pieces need high patience and skills. Examples of objects created by this method are pepper and salt mills, rolling pins, pens and fancy pots and vessels.