Get to know the metal forming process and different types of lathes.
Today, many people have probably heard the term “turning.” In the industrial world, turning is a common practice, particularly for those working in the mechanical industry. Turning is a process of forming metal workpieces into cylindrical shapes, primarily using a variety of techniques tailored to specific needs. Modern tools and technology are used to produce high-quality, precise workpieces. Lathes play a crucial role in this type of turning. Today, we’ll explain what turning is and the different types of turning to help you better understand turning.
Understanding the turning process in lathes
Turning is a process primarily used to shape cylindrical parts. It consists of longitudinal turning, facing, and profiling operations. Face turning, peeling, threading, internal boring, grooving, and parting operations are performed using cutting tools. In turning, the workpiece is fixed and rotates on a lathe chuck. The cutting tool then moves to cut the workpiece into the desired shape. Specialized tools, cutting settings, and programming are required for maximum efficiency.
Types of turning that we can find today
Generally, turning is the process of forming metal using a lathe to rotate the workpiece around itself, with the lathe tool moving towards the workpiece. This friction can create temperatures as high as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two types of turning:
- Face Turning
The first type of turning is faceting the workpiece. The workpiece rotates, while the tool moves in and out in the Y-axis (perpendicular to the spindle) to face the workpiece. It also moves left and right in the Z-axis (in line with the spindle) to control its length. The depth and thickness depend on the lathe blade. Face turning tools come in many shapes, but the most popular is the triangular or T-shaped tool, which has a 60-degree angle and can be used to face the workpiece at three angles. The tip radius (R) is selected based on the desired face finish. For very fine surfaces, a smaller R, such as 0.2-0.4 mm, is used. - Peeling Turning
Another type of turning is peeling, which involves turning a workpiece parallel to the lathe’s chuck shaft. External peeling turns reduce the diameter of the workpiece, while internal peeling or hole-boring turns enlarge the diameter of the hole. External peeling tools are typically W-shaped. Their advantage is their ability to withstand high cutting forces. Typically, R04 or R08 radius tips are used for precision work. For more precise work, an R02 T-shaped tool may be used for further finishing. The tool handle is rectangular and comes in both left-handed and right-handed versions. For internal peeling or hole-boring tools, the tool holder is cylindrical. Since the work is being performed inside a hole, the handle diameter must be smaller than the hole diameter to prevent the tool from colliding with the workpiece. Boring tools are smaller than external peeling tools due to limited space.
From the above, it can be seen that turning is a crucial manufacturing process in the manufacturing industry. It is the foundation for producing high-quality, highly accurate parts with consistent precision. Turning involves removing material from a rotating workpiece to create a wide variety of parts and components used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and more. Furthermore, selecting the right materials for turning is crucial, as is the configuration of the turning machine. Selecting the right lathe is crucial for producing the right parts. Therefore, we recommend quality, standardized lathes from IDDA MACHINE TOOLS CO., LTD. We are an importer and distributor of a wide variety of industrial machinery, including CNC lathes, CNC milling machines, plastic injection molding machines, sheet metal folding machines, wire cutting machines, grinding machines, fiber laser cutting machines, band saws, as well as all types of genuine spare parts and other tools. Our machinery meets ISO 9001 quality standards, along with a team of expert technicians. Our after-sales service team is our top priority, so customers can be confident in our service.
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