Crankshaft lathe is extensively used in manufacturing field for machining cylindrical or tapered parts and surfaces. It is a type of lathe that is used for both heavy and light machining. This machine can be used for producing both small and large parts and is suitable for applications such as cylinder boring and honing, pump and valve stem production, engine block or crank shaft machining, and threaded or counterbored parts.
A crankshaft lathe is generally composed of a bed, a headstock, a tailstock, and a spindle. The bed is the foundation of the lathe, providing strength and stability, while the spindle provides the power that drives the workpiece. The headstock contains motors, gears, and other components that control the speed, torque and direction of the crankshaft spindle rotation. The tailstock holds the crankshaft spindle in place during operation.
The different types of crankshaft lathe machines are classified based on their types of spindles. There are three main types: single headstock crankshaft lathe, dual headstock crankshaft lathe, and single-crank and rod crankshaft lathe.
Single headstock crankshaft lathes are designed for light machining, such as small engine blocks or crankshafts. They use a single headstock spindle that rotates the workpiece. This type of machine is commonly used for parts production and usually features a manually operated tailstock.
Dual headstock crankshaft lathes are designed for heavier-duty applications such as the machining of bigger engine blocks or crankshafts. This type of machine has two spindles, one at each end of the bed, which are operated independently of each other. This allows the machinist to work faster and more efficiently as multiple operations can occur at the same time.
The single-crank and rod lathe are used for heavy machining. This type of crankshaft lathe machine consists of a single spindle that is supported by a single crankshaft rod, which makes this type of machine suitable for machining large parts. The single spindle allows the crankshaft rod to move freely across the workpiece while machining a variety of parts.
Key techonology parameters typically found in a crankshaft lathe include the maximum spindle speed, maximum revolutions per minute, stroke length, taper diameter, spindle threading, and tool retention system.
The maximum spindle speed indicates the speed at which the machine can rotate the spindle. This is measured in revolutions per minute and indicates the speed at which the crankshaft spindle will rotate during the machining process.
The maximum revolutions per minute indicates the speed of the taper diameter, which is usually measured in millimeters. The taper diameter is the distance between the spindle and the chuck tip.
The stroke length indicates the length that the spindle can travel between each revolution. This is typically measured in millimeters and is described in terms of pitch.
The spindle threading is the process by which a thread is generated on the spindle to secure the workpiece to the chuck. This process typically involves the use of a tap and die set.
The tool retention system refers to the manner in which the tool is held in place on the spindle. This includes collet systems, collet chuck systems, and Morse taper systems. These systems are used to accurately locate and secure the tool to the spindle.
In summary, crankshaft lathes are versatile machines used extensively for light and heavy machining. Different types of crankshaft lathes are available, depending on the type of spindle being used and the intended application. Common key technology parameters for these machines include maximum spindle speed, strokes length, taper diameter, spindle threading and tool retention.
