Before buying a lathe, it is necessary to do prior research to define the type of lathe needed, as this type of machine can be found on the market in a wide variety of models, each with specific characteristics.
Depending on what tasks are planned, it may be more advisable to use one type of lathe or another. It is an important investment in terms of machining work tools, so it is also crucial to have a precise idea of what characteristics the most convenient lathe will have.
In the case of an investment by a company, as is common with industrial lathes, the lathe will become part of the company's assets, so it is also necessary to analyze whether the lathe will be able to allow the investment to be recovered. Aspects such as the utility and longevity of the machine are most related to the profitability it will offer.
Keys to Buying the Right Lathe
Before buying a lathe, it is necessary to define three key aspects: how many parts are planned to be worked with the machine and in what time frame, what operations are planned to be carried out with the machine, and what will be the payback period for the investment.
When planning to work with a large number of parts in a short time and perform specific operations, it is most advisable to invest in a high-end lathe. On the other hand, when the payback period is not very long and not many operations are planned, you can consider the option of buying a mid-range or low-range lathe, or even a used one.
Characteristics to Consider When Buying a Lathe
There are certain specific characteristics that must be taken into account regarding the type of lathe to be purchased. These are the following:
Motor Power
The easiest way to differentiate the range of a lathe is through the power of the main motor. Lathes with a 350W motor are the only ones considered suitable for professional operations. Motors with lower power levels are not recommended for the most demanding tasks.
On the other hand, when evaluating a motor, the maximum allowable outer diameter should be analyzed. This aspect is directly related to the size of the parts to be worked on. If you plan to work with small parts, it is not as important; but when it comes to large parts, it is essential that it allows for a wide maximum diameter.
Diameter over Carriage and Bed
In addition to the maximum diameter allowed by the engine, the diameter over the carriage and over the bed indicated in the machine's technical sheet must be taken into account. When the maximum diameter allowed by the bed is not very large, the chuck can be placed, but the operations that can be performed are limited. Therefore, a suitable diameter over the bed should be selected for the operations planned.
This is especially important when the entire piece needs to be turned, as it may be impossible to do so because there are two aspects that also affect the workspace:
- The thickness of the sliding carriage.
- The space occupied by the turret where the cutting tool is added.
Distance between points
The distance between points should be appropriate according to the length and type of pieces to be worked on. This distance is measured between the tailstock and the chuck.
Additionally, the supports available on the lathe should also be considered, as there are both movable and fixed steady rests. Depending on the pieces to be worked on, movable or fixed steady rests may be more convenient.
Automatic adjustments
When purchasing a lathe, it should be evaluated whether an automatic adjustment of the feed speed and revolutions is desired. According to the planned production control, these functions may or may not be necessary. Furthermore, when a lathe lacks these automated systems, the work cannot be performed continuously without resorting to stopping.
Likewise, it greatly facilitates the modification of the spindle's rotational speeds. When it's easy to work with different speeds, the work efficiency is improved.
Should you buy a CNC or conventional lathe?
On a technological level, there is the option to acquire a conventional lathe or one with numerical control. To determine which is the best option, the work cycles in the company and the level of precision required by the pieces to be worked on must be considered. If there is not much staff and the precision level required is very high, the best option is a CNC lathe. Otherwise, a conventional lathe is a good choice.
