A CNC lathe is composed of a CNC device, bed, spindle box, tool holder feed system, tailstock, hydraulic system, cooling system, lubrication system, chip conveyor, and other parts. CNC lathes are divided into two types: vertical CNC lathes and horizontal CNC lathes.

Vertical CNC lathes are used for turning large diameter disc parts.

Horizontal CNC lathes are used for turning long axial or small disc parts.

Horizontal CNC lathes can be further divided into economical CNC lathes, ordinary CNC lathes, and turning machining centers according to their functions.

(1) Economical CNC lathe: A simple CNC lathe formed by modifying the turning feed system of a regular lathe with a stepper motor and a microcontroller. Low cost, poor automation and functionality, and low turning accuracy, suitable for turning rotary parts with low requirements.

(2) Ordinary CNC lathe: a CNC lathe designed specifically for turning machining requirements and equipped with a universal CNC system. The CNC system has strong functions, high degree of automation and machining accuracy, and is suitable for turning general rotary parts. This type of CNC lathe can simultaneously control two coordinate axes, namely the x-axis and z-axis.

turning center

(3) Turning machining center: On the basis of ordinary CNC lathes, a C-axis and power head have been added. More advanced machine tools also have a tool library, which can control the X, Z, and C coordinate axes. The linkage control axis can be (X, Z), (X, C), or (Z, C). Due to the addition of the C-axis and milling power head, the machining function of this CNC lathe is greatly enhanced. In addition to general turning, it can also perform radial and axial milling, surface milling, drilling of holes with the centerline not at the center of rotation of the part, and drilling of radial holes.

2. Hydraulic chuck and hydraulic tailstock

Hydraulic chuck is an important accessory for clamping workpieces during CNC turning, and ordinary hydraulic chuck can be used for general rotary parts; For parts that are not cylindrical in shape and are clamped, special chucks need to be used; When directly processing parts with bar materials, spring chucks are required.

For parts with a large ratio of axial and radial dimensions, it is necessary to use a movable center installed on the hydraulic tailstock to support the tail end of the part, in order to ensure correct machining of the part. There are regular hydraulic tailstock and programmable hydraulic tailstock.

Universal tool holder

3. The tool holder of CNC lathe

CNC lathes can be equipped with two types of tool holders:

(1) The specialized tool holder is developed by the lathe manufacturer themselves, and the tool holder used is also specialized. The advantage of this knife holder is its low manufacturing cost, but it lacks universality.

(2) Universal tool holder is a tool holder produced according to certain universal standards (such as VDI, German Society of Engineers), and CNC lathe manufacturers can choose and configure according to the functional requirements of the CNC lathe.

4. Milling power head

Installing a milling power head on the tool holder of a CNC lathe can greatly expand the machining capacity of the lathe. For example, using a milling power head for axial drilling and milling of axial grooves.

5. Cutting tools for CNC lathes

When turning parts on a CNC lathe or turning machining center, the position of the tool on the tool holder should be arranged reasonably and scientifically based on the structure of the lathe tool holder and the number of tools that can be installed. Attention should be paid to avoiding interference between the tool and the machine tool, tool and workpiece, and tool to tool interaction when the tool is stationary and working.