In the mechanical processing process, CNC lathe machine is one of the equipment that plays the most important role. So, what is a CNC lathe and why should businesses and factories equip this machine, let&#;s find out through the information in the article below.
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CNC lathe is a processing equipment for cutting materials (usually wood and metal) commonly used in factories and mechanical workshops. The machine is used to process workpieces of materials with round, shaft or tapered faces, for example some details such as: shaft, wheel, thread, hole, stop ring&#;
The operating principle of the machine is quite simple, the material will be cut from the workpiece and the lathe system will process the outer surface of the part.
In addition, with multi-function lines to round turning, hole turning. CNC lathes are also used for drilling, threading, grooving, polishing&#; Depending on the user&#;s settings.
In addition, the design of the CNC lathe can accommodate many different machining tools such as: Grading chuck, milling jig, dynamic head, auxiliary shaft&#; Of course, traditional mechanical lathes do not have these features.
With the development of technology, the lines of CNC lathes on the market today are constantly improve. The same device can perform many different machining functions. Instead of costing extra for a milling or drilling machine, a CNC multifunction lathe will help you simplify your machining process.
Lathes are classified according to the number of shafts and functions:
2-axis lathe: These are vertical and horizontal lathes designed with 2 spindles.
3-6 axis lathe: In addition to the main shaft, these lathes will add with many auxiliary shafts to increase flexibility when machining. The machine uses multiple axes and tool systems at the same time, capable of processing parts with complex shapes, minimizing machining time.
Universal lathe: Including screw thread lathe and smooth lathe.
Copy lathe: Commonly used when it is necessary to process and cut products with complex shapes, requiring meticulousness and high precision.
Specialized lathe: Quite limited in functionality, used only for machining certain products.
Shortcut Lathe: Machining of heavy-duty parts is the most prominent feature of this lathe.
Vertical lathe: This type of lathe has quite a variety of processing capabilities, used to cut complex and heavy machine parts.
Multi-knife lathe: The device equips with multiple cutters to cut the product.
The stand is the part that determines the cutting speed of the CNC lathe machine. It is usually fitted inside with a stepper motor and a spindle. The chuck to hold the workpiece mounts on the spindle head, behind the hydraulic or pneumatic system.
The motor of the main shaft can move either unidirectionally or alternately. In there:
chuck
This part contains hydraulic system, fast operation speed, safety assurance. Normally, when machining non-ferrous metals, the spindle can rotate rpm. The centrifugal force in this process is very large, the hydraulic system will hold the chuck tightly during operation.
Dynamic
The dynamic position of the CNC lathe machine includes: Centering details, jigs, detailed adjustment &#;
Tool storage system
It supports the tool holder, allowing the cutter to reciprocate parallel or perpendicular to the main axis. It can hold 8-12 cutters. The accumulator has the ability to change cutters in a short time.
This is one of the most important parts of a CNC lathe. They consider as the &#;brain&#; of the device. The control panel will process data from the design file and install specifications, thereby controlling the cutter to process according to the needs of the user.
The ability to automate the production process is the most outstanding feature of CNC lathe machine compared to traditional machining equipment. Previously, mechanical lathes required a technician to control for machining. This makes machining speed and productivity greatly dependent on human factors.
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In contrast, with the automatic operation controller, the CNC lathe can operate continuously for a long time, without needing to arrange labor for operation. As a result, the enterprise&#;s outsourcing process will automate, increasing production productivity.
Usually, an enterprise has to process parts and products with various shapes and sizes. This requires lathe specifications to constantly change to suit each product.
With a CNC lathe machine, you don&#;t need to worry about this. Just import the design file into the computer and perform a few simple operations, the device will do the rest to produce the final product that meets the requirements.
CNC lathes are capable of machining parts with maximum accuracy up to 100%. In particular, despite operating in many different conditions, the equipment still provides products with high homogeneity, beautiful cutting lines, shiny surfaces, ensuring aesthetics.
CNC lathes apply modern technology, so the price is relatively high. However, the investment in this equipment is completely worth it, they will help your business save operating costs throughout its life.
Specifically, modern CNC lathe machine consumes less energy than mechanical lathes, you will save on electricity bills each month. In addition, equipping CNC lathes will minimize the presence of people, businesses will save monthly salaries, costs of health checks, holidays, maternity &#;
In addition, CNC lathes are rarely damaged, businesses do not need to spend a lot of money on maintenance, repair or replacement services for equipment.
CNC lathe has a fast cutting speed, producing large output in a short time. Besides, using a CNC lathe helps your business&#; machining process will not interrupt on weekends or holidays.
As mentioned in the above section, CNC lathe machine is capable of processing products with high precision, quality assurance and uniformity. As a result, businesses do not need to process the product surface again, just wait for it to cool down and bring the product to market.
This advantage not only helps to optimize processing time but also helps businesses save costs for this stage.
When you need CNC turned parts, there are countless precision machine shops you can turn to. So, how do you choose the best manufacturing team for your project?
Let&#;s unpack the five essential factors you should prioritize in a CNC turning partner and review how these factors ensure a superior part.
The first thing to look for is, of course, a shop with a CNC lathe&#;preferably an advanced one. You&#;ll also want to know that your chosen shop is capable of meeting your quantity requirements, whether you need one part or several thousand.
Here at Area Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., we leverage our impressive Okuma LB EX II lathe for customers in the medical and oil and gas industries. Though our machine can handle parts up to 14&#; in diameter, we primarily turn parts that fit in your hand; many are so small that you could hold hundreds in your palm!
Our lathe&#;s production capacity enables both low and mid-volume productions, ensuring every customer&#;s unique needs are met.
Find a shop whose lathe is equipped with live tooling capabilities. When attached to the turret of a CNC lathe, live tools effectively convert the lathe into a mill. Offering both horizontal and vertical milling within a single setup, live tooling eliminates the need to transfer your part between multiple machines and reduces the potential for error. You&#;ll benefit from faster machining, lower costs, and enhanced accuracy and precision.
Area Tool&#;s live tooling allows us to seamlessly machine both square and round parts as well as add any radial and axial features your design requires.
You want a shop with seasoned lathe operators who embrace a troubleshooting mindset and embody a wealth of knowledge that spans decades. Their grasp of tooling intricacies, finishing standards, and quality control protocols translates to unparalleled efficiency and precision. Such expertise is particularly vital when working with diverse materials, as each presents unique challenges in terms of tooling and finishing.
Area Tool&#;s operators aren&#;t merely experienced&#;they are wizards of their craft. For instance, when we were presented with a rubber-like, low-durometer plastic for a run of CNC turned parts, our lathe operator knew to use a ceramic insert. A novice operator may have balked at such a difficult material, but our team believes in pushing boundaries and leveraging our wealth of experience to solve challenges for our customers.
Beyond being aesthetically appealing, a high-quality surface finish is often critical for a part&#;s functionality and longevity. Consider the seals in many oil and gas assemblies. A subpar finish can compromise the seal&#;s efficacy, leading to potential malfunctions.
When a shop delivers exceptional surface finishes straight off the lathe, your part can be completed in fewer operations, saving you time and money.
Area Tool regularly holds 16 Ra during CNC turning&#;a smoother finish than many customer callouts. Such a refined finish means any subsequent processes, like polishing, are faster to complete or in some instances eliminated and, therefore, less expensive.
Volume is often as vital as quality. If your CNC turning job requires high production volumes, a shop with a Swiss screw machine may be the answer. These automatic, Swiss-style lathes produce large volumes of precision-turned parts with efficiency and accuracy.
For the reasons we&#;ve just described, the latest addition to Area Tool&#;s shop floor is&#;you guessed it&#;a Swiss turn machine! As we integrate this capability into our shop, our promise to customers will remain steady: expanded production capabilities with an unwavering commitment to quality.
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