CNC LATHE MACHINE

What is CNC lathe Machine

A CNC lathe(CNC turning machine) is a machine that spins material around a central spindle and a fixed cutting tool. Instead of being controlled by physical labor, the movement of your components is determined by coded instructions fed to a computer. Multiple stages may be set simultaneously, avoiding the need for your component to leave the lathe between producing and ensuring accurate cut placement.

Operation & processes of a CNC lathe Machine

A basic CNC turning machine rotates the material it cuts while operating on two axes. Because the rotation of the material is usually referred to as ‘turning,’ CNC lathes are sometimes referred to as CNC turning machines. The inside and outside of the component may be machined using CNC turning machines. Internal operations will act to change the workpiece’s inner diameter. External processes shape the exterior.

Uses of CNC Lathe Machines

A Lathe CNC Machine is basically a shaping device used primarily for shaping of hard materials like metal and wood. The rotating device in the machine functions as a stationary cutting tool. With the help of CNC computers and programming these machines have a higher accuracy of cutting tools that were used before the advancement of these technologies. The Industrial Applications of Lathe Machines are cutting, drilling, sanding, turning or shaping of any kind. These machines are used in Factories and machine shops and have a versatility of cnc programming and softwares and does not just rely on the hands of factory workers.

Parts of CNC Machine

 Parts of CNC Machine are:

1. The Input Device

2. Machine Control Unit

3. Machine Tools

4. The Drive System

5. Feedback Mechanism

6. Display Unit

7. Bed

8. Headstock

9. The Tailstock

10. Tailstock Quill

11. Pedal or a Footswitch

12. Chuck

13. The Control Panel

The primary components of a CNC machine are represented by the following:

1.The Input Device

These are the tools used to enter part-programming data into a CNC machine. Three types of input devices are often used: magnetic tape readers, punch tape readers, and computers connected via RS-232-C.

2.Machine Control Unit

The CNC machine’s brain is here. The MCU completes all of the CNC machine’s controlling operations. It completes and decodes the provided instructions and reads them among the many jobs. The coded instruction is decoded by it. This axis employs interpolation (linear, spherical, and helical) to create motion commands.

It supplies the amplifier circuit driving the spindle mechanism with the axis speed order. For each driving axis, it gets feedback signals indicating position and speed. It supports auxiliary control features like tool change, coolant, or spindle on/off.

3.Machine Tools

To manage position and speed, a CNC machine tool is always equipped with a sliding table and a spindle. The X, Y, and Z axes of the machine are used to operate the tables, while the Z-axis is used to control the spindle.

4.The Drive System

The ball drive motors, lead screws, and amplifier circuit make up the CNC machine’s driving system. The MCU provides the amplifier circuit with the signals (i.e., position and speed) from each axis.

The drive motors are then turned on by amplifying the control signals. And to position the machine table, actuated drive motors turn the ball lead screw.

5.Feedback Mechanism

Transducers, which serve as sensors in the system, are used. Another name for it is a measuring system. It is made up of position and motion transducers that constantly track the location and movement of the cutting tool.

The MCU receives signals from these transducers and creates control signals to rectify position and motion faults by comparing reference signals to response signals and comparing response signals to reference signals.

6.Display Unit

Programs, instructions, and other essential information about the CNC machine are shown on a monitor.

7.Bed

On CNC machines, these components carry the whole machine’s weight, necessitating mounting all other parts. Due to the fact that the tool turret in CNC lathe machines travels over them, the bed component is built of harder materials like cast iron.

8.Headstock

Due to the fact that the workpieces are secured to the headstock, it is one of the key parts of CNC lathe machines. The primary axle of the CNC lathe is driven by motors.

9.The Tailstock

When a CNC machine is used to conduct tasks like noodling, threading, and turning, this lathe gives the workpiece more grip. On the workpiece’s end surfaces, support is offered.

10Tailstock Quill

Thanks to the tailstock quill, the workpieces are more evenly distributed between the headstock and the tailstock.

11.Pedal or a Footswitch

The tailstock quill is transferred to the forward and reversed positions, for example, as the pedal is utilized to open and shut the chuck while attempting to grip the component.

12.Chuck

Because the chuck is positioned on the main axle, the tool has room to fix.

13.The Control Panel

Control panels are one of the key components of CNC machines that are utilized to set or feed programs for the operation to be carried out on the workpieces. It is sometimes referred to as the CNC machine’s brain.

Advantages of CNC Machining

CNC machines assist manufacturers in enhancing productivity and accuracy and help lower the risk of human error by enabling them to automate various production operations that would otherwise need to be carried out manually.

Here are 5 significant ways they have changed engineering:

1.CNC Machining Is Excellent For Producing Lots Of Parts

If you need to produce more mechanical components in larger quantities (from the upper double digits to the 100s), CNC is likely to be the most cost-effective option since it is far less expensive to use CNC machining than 3D printing.

2.Various Materials May Be Worked On Using CNC Machines

While CNC machines are usually unconcerned with the materials they are cutting, 3D printing primarily focuses on plastics as long as the material is robust enough to avoid deforming or melting under the pressure of the cutting operation. At Geomiq, we take great care to use the appropriate material for each item and provide over 60 production quality materials for CNC machining. Aluminum, stainless steel, magnesium alloy, zinc alloy, titanium, and brass are the metals utilized most frequently.

3.CNC Equipment Produces Items Swiftly

You likely won’t be surprised to learn that machines operate more quickly than people do. You may receive the final goods in as little as 5 days when you purchase your CNC machined components from a perfect CNC machine.

4.CNC Equipment Is Very Precise

A typical CNC tolerance is +/- 0.127mm, and when you utilize the tolerance configurator, you can anticipate precise machining down to +/- 0.005mm, giving you an indication of how exactly they are.

5.There Are Several Post-Processing And Finishing Choices With CNC Machining

For instance, a CNC machine provides high-quality finishing procedures, including anodizing, polishing, heat treating, plating, powder coating, and more, for the majority of CNC-machined parts.

Limitations of CNC Controlled Machines

CNC machines’ capabilities may be constrained by the sophistication and age of their control and drive systems. The majority of CNC controllers only comprehend circular arcs and straight-line motions. The arcs are often only allowed on the main XYZ planes in many machines. Rotating an axis can be thought of as moving linearly, only in degrees rather than in space. Two or more axes must interpolate (move precisely and synchronously together) in order to produce arc motions or linear movements that are at an angle to the major axis. Also capable of simultaneous interpolation are rotary and linear axes. Five-axis machines require that all five be precisely synced, which is a difficult undertaking.

                                                     It is crucial that the machine controller can interpret incoming data quickly, send orders to the drive system, and keep track of the machine’s speed and location. In this regard, older and less costly devices are plainly less competent, much as how an older computer would perform demanding tasks less effectively and more slowly (if at all) than a modern one.

Conclusion

Investing in a computer numerical control lathe versus a manual lathe has various advantages. Because their movement is controlled by code, computer-operated lathes are very exact. Multiple CNC turning machines may be operated concurrently by a single operator but manual lathes demand more attention. While CNC turning machines are initially more expensive, they can be less expensive to operate in terms of less staffing. Manufacturing times are shorter since more CNC machines are running simultaneously and all products produced are practically identical thanks to the accuracy of computer numerical control.