Vertical Lathes Technology Parameters
Vertical lathe technology is the use of the planetary motion principle of a machine tool to rotate a workpiece on a single axis to machining workpieces on a complementary horizontal axis while maintaining a consistent relative angular orientation. A vertical lathe is capable of cutting a variety of shapes and angles in a continuous stream, with high precision.
The most common type of vertical lathe is the planetary or turret lathe, which uses a rotating turret mounted to the main spindle to facilitate changing of tool holders, increasing efficiency. Examples of these include: turret lathes, fixed head lathes, gap-bed lathes, and open-face lathes. Other types of vertical lathes include CNC lathes and the horizontal lathe.
The main components of a vertical lathe are the bed, spindle, and tool head (typically supported by a sliding mechanism). In addition, the tailstock, chuck and feed system components may also be included as part of the lathe.
The spindle is the main component of a vertical lathe, and it is responsible for rotating the workpiece and tooling relative to the bed. Depending on the specific design, the spindle may be mounted in a precisely machined bearing block, or one with adjustable bearing blocks. The angular orientation of the spindle can be adjusted according to the desired angle of the workpiece, as well as in relation to the bed. CNC lathes may also feature adaptive programming and computer numerical control (CNC) systems.
The tool head is basically a device that holds the cutting tool. This can be a single tool, a collection of tools, or an indexable toolhead that allows for quick tool changes. Tool heads can be mounted on either the vertical or horizontal axis of the lathe, depending on the type of job being performed.
The feed system is typically composed of a feed rod and feed screw. The feed rod is responsible for transferring the motion of the spindle to the cutting tool. The feed screw is used to adjust the level of the cutting tool in relation to the workpiece.
The chuck is a device that holds the workpiece in place during machining. It is typically designed to offer a range of holding forces and positional accuracy. Additionally, some lathes feature a collet chuck, which allows the use of a range of collet sizes and clamping ranges.
The tailstock is a support structure mounted to the bed. It is typically used to provide additional support to the back of the workpiece, or to apply pressure when cutting a tapered profile.
Finally, the last component of a vertical lathe is the drive system. This is responsible for rotating the spindle, and is typically composed of a motor, gearbox, spindle, and feed system. Depending on the particular design, it can also be responsible for providing torque and adjust the rotational speed of the spindle.
Overall, vertical lathes are invaluable tools for precision machining, and can vastly reduce operation time and improve part quality. By proper consideration and use of the lathe technology and components, manufacturers can achieve greater productivity and accuracy in their machining operations.
