BHAVYA MACHINE TOOLS LLP
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Industries: Packaging, Oil & Gas, Electrical, Construction, Marine, Electronics, Agriculture, Automotive, Industrial Machinery, Aerospace
+91 98250 09216 · Website
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What is a centre lathe (conventional lathe)?
The workpiece is held in a chuck on the headstock, and a tool on the carriage moves along the bed to cut it, driven by hand or through a lead screw for threads and feeds. Size is described by the swing over the bed and the distance between centres. Centre lathes are valued for flexibility and low cost, since one skilled operator can make a wide variety of parts without programming.
Centre Lathe (Conventional Lathe) or CNC lathe?
A centre lathe suits one-off jobs, repairs and small batches, and costs less, but each part depends on the operator’s skill and time. A CNC lathe repeats parts accurately from a programme and suits batches, at higher cost and with more set-up effort.
What to specify when you ask for a quote
- Swing over the bed and the distance between centres, for the largest part you will turn.
- Spindle bore, which decides the largest bar that can pass through the headstock.
- Spindle speed range and motor power for the materials you cut.
- Bed construction and guideway hardening, which decide accuracy and life.
- Feeds and thread ranges, including metric and inch if you need both.
- Accessories supplied: chuck, steady rests, tool post and coolant, and the accuracy test chart.
Where it is used
- Industrial MachineryMaintenance, repair and prototype turning.
- AutomotiveSmall-batch shafts, bushes and fixtures.
- PumpsShafts and sleeves for pump repair.
Frequently asked questions
What can a centre lathe make?
Shafts, pins, bushes, pulleys, threaded parts and many other round components. It can also face flat surfaces, bore holes and cut threads when set up correctly.
How do I choose between a centre lathe and a CNC lathe?
Choose a centre lathe for varied one-off work, repair and low volumes. Choose CNC when parts repeat in batches or tolerances are tight and you can justify the programming and set-up time.
What should I check on a used centre lathe?
Wear on the bed and the carriage, play in the spindle bearings and lead screw, the condition of the gearbox and the accuracy with a test cut. Ask for an accuracy test chart where available.
What does the size of a lathe mean?
It is usually given as the swing, which is the largest diameter that can rotate over the bed, and the distance between centres, which is the longest part it can hold between them.