Common Machine Tools
Modern factories and workshops rely heavily on machine tools to perform various operations with accuracy, speed, and precision. Commonly used machine tools include drills, lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, punching machines, and gear cutting machines. Each of these machine tools is designed for a specific application, and each is suitable for a particular range of operations.
Drills
A drill is used to make a circular hole in a workpiece, usually with a twist drill bit. The drill press combines several motions to create a spinning motion that causes the cutting end of the drill bit to rotate and penetrate the workpiece. A variety of speeds, feeds, and depths of cut can be used to produce different sizes and shapes of holes in the material.
Lathes
A lathe is a machine tool used to spin a workpiece while a cutting tool is used to shape the workpiece. The cutting tools commonly used with a lathe include knives, chisels, taps, and dies. The lathe can be used to produce cylindrical parts, as well as parts with tapered faces and non-circular shapes.
Milling Machines
Milling machines are used to shape and cut a workpiece using a variety of tools. For example, a milling machine can be used to shape the workpiece into a curved shape or even drill a number of holes in it. Milling machines are commonly used to drill, grind and shape various materials, including wood, metal and plastic.
Grinding Machines
Grinding machines use abrasive wheels to cut, shape and grind a workpiece. Grinding machines are used to sharpen tools and abrasive materials, and to finish a variety of parts, such as ceramic, metal and wood.
Punching Machines
Punching machines are used to punch holes into materials such as sheet metal or leather. The punch is a powered, spring- operated tool that is used to force a hole into the material.
Gear Cutting Machines
Gear cutting machines are used to cut, shape and grind gears and other rotational parts. Specialized tools such as milling cutters, grinding wheels and gear hobs are used to cut these rotary parts.
These are some of the most common machine tools used in modern factories and workshops. Each tool is designed for a specific application and has unique features that make it suitable for different operations. By utilizing machine tools, modern factories and workshops can achieve precision, accuracy, and efficiency.