Centre Lathes
Lathes for one-off & small series production
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What is a centre lathe?
A centre lathe is a machine that makes cylindrical shapes from materials such as steel and heavy-duty plastic. Perhaps the most common use for a lathe is the manufacture of component parts for the combustion engine. The first centre lathes were manual machines that were operated directly by people. In recent years, however, CNC centre lathes have been introduced into large scale production facilities to speed up the process, cut production costs and remove the element of human error. These automated centre lathe operations are controlled by computers which are programmed in advance to carry out specific tasks.
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What is a centre lathe used for?
A CNC centre lathe machine is commonly used in the manufacture of component parts for engines. However, a large number of businesses use them primarily for maintenance work. Replacement parts can be produced quickly and accurately by a centre lathe, which means machines being used for the main production process don't have to cease operations. In modern facilities, the centre lathe is deemed too inefficient to be used for mass production processes, but many small companies still rely heavily on them. In order to cut costs, many of these firms purchase second-hand centre lathes. A used centre lathe is every bit as reliable as a brand-new machine, but it can be purchased at a significant discount.
| JET Center lathe in operation |
Depending on the part being produced, changes are made to three key elements of the manufacturing process: turning speed, cutting depth and feed speed. The turning speed is gradually increased to create a smooth finish. The cutting depth affects the processing speed, as well as how 'rough' the final finish is. The feed speed also affects the 'roughness' of the finish. Generally speaking: the lower the feed speed, the smoother the finish.
What is inside a centre lathe?
The most important component parts of a turning centre lathe are the tool slide, the tailstock, the workpiece mount, the chuck, the feed and the headstock. A manual machine is controlled by a person turning handles on the cross slide and top slide. These handles turn the chuck, which drives the movement that makes the part. The speed of the chuck can be altered by opening the headstock and changing the arrangement of the gears.
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Centre lathe processes have changed dramatically over the years. Computers now take charge of production, and modern machines are fitted with a quick-action tool holder. This allows different tools to be used during the same production process through an automated switching process. Human involvement in the manufacturing of a part can be cut significantly, which improves the profitability of the operation.
A workpiece is fixed in the tailstock and clamped into place to ensure it can't move during the manufacturing process. In order to prevent tiny vibrations that can cause irregularities in the finished parts, a bezel can be used. This is particularly effective when working at high speeds or with particularly long workpieces.
Buy a quality used centre lathe
The centre lathe is one of the most commonly used metalworking machines in modern industry. While there are many centre lathes for sale in the UK, they often come with a high price-tag. You can save your business money by perusing the latest second-hand centre lathes for sale at Surplex.com. We are often sourcing quality centre lathes from manufacturers such as MAZAK, ERIKSEN, TOS and VOEST ALPINE.
Keep checking the Surplex centre lathe sale for quality used machines at highly competitive prices. But if you can't find what you're looking for right now, sign up to our newsletter to ensure you are amongst the first to learn of our new arrivals and forthcoming auctions.