A lathe is an important machine tool for processing metal and other hard materials.
1、Lathe classification
A、Classification by type
- Ordinary lathe
- CNC lathe
B、Classification by knife installation method
- Gang tool type CNC lathe
- Turret CNC Lathe
C、Classification by lathe structure
- Flat bed CNC lathe
- Slant bed CNC lathe
D、Double axis CNC lathe
E、Milling machine
F、Vertical Lathe
- Single-column vertical lathe
- Double-column vertical lathe
2、Lathe structure
Many machine tools exist, but the basic composition is similar. Its structure includes three boxes, three bars, and six parts.
1-spindle box 2-chuck 3-tool rest 4-coolant pipe 5-tailstock 6-bed 7-screw 8-light bar 9-operating lever 10-slide 11-slide box 12-feed box 13-pulley box
Three boxes
The three boxes include a spindle, feed, and slide box.
Spindle Box
The spindle box is the most important part of the lathe. Its full name is the spindle gearbox. The spindle in the spindle box can not only realize the rotation of the clamped workpiece, but also transmit the feed box, lead screw, and slide box to realize the linear motion of the tool.
The rotation of the spindle is divided into forward and reverse rotation, and the speed of the spindle can be controlled by rotating the speed change handle on the spindle box panel. The speed change of the spindle is achieved by relying on the speed change mechanism inside the spindle box, and the speed change mechanism is mainly composed of shafts and gear sets, similar to a car gearbox.
Feed Box
A speed-changing mechanism for feed motion is installed in the feed box. The feed amount or pitch can be obtained by adjusting the speed-changing mechanism, and then transmitted to the tool holder for feed motion through a smooth rod or a lead screw.
Slide Box
Mainly used to control the movement of the upper tool holder.
The handle on the slide box controls manual or automatic tool movement. The handwheel controls the slide box to move along the X-axis and the middle slide to move along the Y-axis.
There is an opening and closing nut on the slide box, which is used to control the transmission device. When processing threads, the opening and closing nut is used to select the lead screw transmission, and when processing in general, the opening and closing nut is used to select the smooth rod transmission. The two transmissions cannot be carried out at the same time, which will damage the transmission device.
Three Rods
Lead Screw
The rod with threads is called a lead screw. When working, it is used to transmit power when turning threads.
Smooth Rod
The rod without thread in the middle is called a bare rod. It is mainly used to complete other cutting operations except thread turning. Like the lead screw, it transmits power.
Control Rod
The bottom lever is called the joystick. Two joysticks are connected at both ends of the joystick. The two joysticks have the same function and are synchronized, mainly to facilitate the lathe operator to operate nearby. There are three gears on the joystick: upper, middle, and lower. The upper gear controls the spindle to rotate forward, the middle gear stops the spindle, and the lower gear controls the spindle to rotate reversely.
Six Parts
Tool Holder
There is a saddle under the tool holder, which functions like a saddle. It is a bracket on the guide rail connected to the lathe guide rail, controlling the tool holder to move along the X-axis. Superimposed on the saddle is the middle slide, which controls the tool to move along the Y-axis.
There is a small skateboard on the middle skateboard, and a square knife holder is dragged on the small skateboard.
Cutting Fluid Nozzle
Lighting
Chuck
The chuck is used to clamp the workpiece. For special-shaped workpieces, a tool specially made for the special-shaped workpiece can be added to the chuck to clamp the workpiece.
Tailstock
The tailstock is also mounted on the guide rail. When the workpiece clamped on the chuck is long, the tailstock can be moved along the X-axis, and the ejector pin on the tailstock can be pressed against one end of the workpiece to fix the workpiece. Similarly, other tools (twist drill, center drill, stirring tool) can be installed on the tailstock to perform drilling operations on the workpiece.
Bed Foot
The above components are all installed on the bed, and the entire bed is supported by the bed legs. In addition to stabilizing the bed, the bed legs also have two empty boxes on the left and right sides. The right bed leg box contains cutting fluid; the left bed leg box contains the lathe power unit (three-box asynchronous motor)
3、Lathe Maintenance And Care
- Daily maintenance: After work every day, the power should be turned off, and the lathe surfaces, covers, guide rails, lead screws, and smooth bars should be cleaned to ensure that there are no oil or iron filings. Keep the lathe surface clean
- Lubrication system: Check the oil level in the lubricating oil tank regularly and add oil in time to ensure that the lubricating oil path is unobstructed. The lubricating oil in the spindle box is generally replaced every three months. When changing the oil, the oil pump and oil tank should be thoroughly cleaned.
- Guide rails and lead screws: The bed guide rails, slide rails, and lead screws need to be cleaned and lubricated before and after work to reduce wear and ensure accuracy.
- Electrical system: Clean the motor and electrical box regularly, check the electrical components and circuits to ensure there is no dust and the fixing screws are not loose to prevent electrical failures.
- Spindle box: Check the spindle locking nuts and screws, adjust the brake and clutch friction plates, and keep the active operation smooth.
- Feed box and slide box: Check the gear meshing clearance, clean, and inject new grease to ensure smooth operation of the feed mechanism.
- Tailstock: Clean the tailstock regularly, check and lubricate the tailstock sleeve and screw to ensure the tailstock moves flexibly.
- Protective device: Check whether the machine tool protective cover is intact and not loose or damaged to ensure safe operation.
- First-level maintenance: After the lathe has been running for 500 hours, first-level maintenance should be carried out, including cleaning the oil filter, checking the spindle, adjusting the friction plate gap, cleaning the tool holder, checking the tailstock, etc.
- Irregular inspections: Check the liquid level at any time, add oil or water in time, replace and clean the oil tank, water tank, and filter when necessary, clean the waste oil pool and chip conveyor
By following the above maintenance and care points, you can extend the service life of the lathe, improve processing efficiency and accuracy, and reduce the risk of failure.
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