Common Operations Performed on a Lathe Machine

Lathe machines are multipurpose machines that can be used to perform operations like cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, boring, threading, chamfering, facing and turning.

Let’s discuss some of these operations:

1. Facing:

This is the generation of a plane or flat surface using a lathe machine. It is the process of removing material from the end and/or shoulder of a workpiece.

It uses a facing tool that moves perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the workpiece to produce a plane, smooth surface.

2. Turning:

This operation is characterised by the rotational motion of a workpiece against a cutting tool. The process involves the removal of material from the workpiece (metal), shaping it to meet specific dimensional requirements.

Various types of turning operations can be performed to shape and cut material using a lathe machine. Some turning operations are:

i. Straight Turning: