The CNC lathe is a machine tool that, through the machining process, produces revolution parts such as screws, shafts, threaded rods, pins, and many more. The acronym CNC stands for Computerized Numerical Control, so the settings are defined through specialized software, usually with a license for its use. A series of alphanumeric data is controlled on the computer, which the machine applies for manufacturing specific quantities of a piece.
CNC lathes represent an advancement in turning, as all the work previously done by parallel, vertical, automatic, and copying lathes is now performed by a single machine. From semi-finished products, like billets or ingots made of materials such as copper, stainless steel, aluminum, or magnesium, among others, the CNC lathe creates the desired pieces with the measurements you want to provide.
The computerized application represents the latest technological advancement in a machine, the lathe, which has been present for a long time in industrial manufacturing processes. In fact, the first prototypes of lathes can be found at the beginning of the industrial revolution.
How does a CNC lathe work?
The CNC lathe operates based on Cartesian axes X and Z, and the machining process. This process consists of the shaping of pieces through abrasion or chip removal. With a material of a determined size, CNC lathes work these materials until the desired piece is obtained.
First, the prefabricated piece is placed in the tool holder compartment, and it begins to rotate when the program starts. The X and Z axes move according to the parameters previously defined on the computer, and this is how the piece is shaped. All pieces produced will have an identical finish, with the same dimensions and measurements.
Using software programs like BobCAD-CAM or AlphaCAM, among others, you can model in great detail the piece you want to obtain. These programs include all sorts of configuration features, as well as a preview of the piece in question. The most advanced CNC lathe software even shows you the production simulation, meaning it shows you how the lathe will work until the product is ready. Once you have the parameters defined in the program, you input the data into the CNC lathe and place the material to be worked on. The machine takes care of the rest.
Advantages of CNC lathes
CNC lathes have a number of advantages over traditional lathes. They are high-cost machinery, which implies a significant investment. However, the investment pays off with benefits in the medium and long term, as these industrial tools more than compensate for the deficiencies of mechanical lathes or manual labor.
- The revolution pieces obtained through machining are of high precision. In some cases, the precision is nanometric.
- The configuration change for the production of a different piece is done quickly.
- It can produce highly complex pieces quickly and efficiently.
- Production times are reduced, so more pieces can be produced in the same period of time.
- Manufacturing errors are reduced. If there are any, they can be easily detected and corrected in the software program.
- Similarly, human errors are reduced.
- In the long term, it results in cost reduction, and there are increasingly more efficient and cheaper machines.
Types of CNC lathes
There are three types of CNC lathes. On one hand, we have the flat bed CNC lathe, which, depending on the subtype, will serve to manufacture either small, medium, or large pieces. They are the most used since their applications are varied and allow for the manufacture of all kinds of pieces through a cooling system.
Then there are the vertical CNC lathes, more suitable for large and heavy pieces and which operate with the aforementioned X and Z axes. This type of lathe is very useful for producing automotive parts, such as engine blocks. Finally, there are the inclined bed CNC lathes, which are the most sophisticated in terms of control and digital operation. They also offer the greatest precision and rigidity in the finish of pieces. They perform drilling, milling, and turning tasks and are suitable for both small and large pieces.
