What is a Manual Lathe?
A manual lathe is a traditional mechanical lathe in which the operator manually controls the movement of the cutting tool and workpiece to perform machining. It features a simple structure, flexible operation, low cost, and easy maintenance. It is commonly used for turning cylindrical, disc, conical, and threaded parts, and can also perform drilling, boring, and tapping operations.
Main Application Industries
1. Mechanical Processing and Hardware Industry: Machining shafts, discs, sleeves, threaded parts, and other small-to-medium components. Suitable for small batch production or single-piece machining.
2. Mold and Tooling Industry: Machining locating pins, guide posts, and fixture parts. Used for mold parts repair or single-piece machining.
3. Automotive Maintenance and Parts Processing: Repairing shafts, wheel hubs, transmission sleeves, brake discs, etc. Suitable for small batch or custom parts.
4. Education and Training: Used in technical schools and vocational training institutes for hands-on machining practice. Students learn basic turning, threading, and facing skills.
5. General Mechanical Parts Manufacturing: Machining small pump shafts, valve stems, mechanical connectors. Precision manual machining of various small parts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What materials can be machined on a manual lathe?
Carbon steel, cast iron, aluminum alloys, copper, plastics, and light alloys. Suitable for light to medium cutting operations.
2. What is the difference between a manual lathe and a CNC lathe?
Manual lathes rely on the operator to control tool movement, suitable for single-piece or small batch production. CNC lathes use programmed control for tool and workpiece movement, suitable for large batch, high-precision, and complex parts machining.
3. How to choose the right manual lathe model?
Select bed size according to the maximum workpiece diameter and machining length. Choose spindle power and speed range according to part type (shaft, disc, sleeve) and cutting requirements. Consider workshop space, ease of operation, and budget.
4. Daily maintenance tips
Keep bed, guideways, and lead screws clean. Regularly lubricate guideways, lead screws, spindle, and tool post. Check belts or gear transmissions for tightness. Prevent chip accumulation affecting precision. Apply rust and moisture protection during long-term shutdowns.
5. Main advantages of a manual lathe
Low investment cost and easy maintenance. Stable structure and flexible operation. Can machine a variety of materials and part types. Suitable for single-piece, small batch production, and part repair. Ideal for teaching and training. Easy to repair and maintain, long service life.