“Turning” the Tables: 10 Must-Read Articles to Sharpen Your Lathe Game
From complex Swiss-type lathes to turning basics, we’ve rounded up 10 turning articles for both beginners and advanced machinists.
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Whether you're new to the world of turning or a seasoned machinist looking to tighten your tolerances, there are always more ideas to turn over in your mind. From mastering Swiss-type machines to considerations when buying a lathe, we’ve gathered 10 standout articles that cover turning basics and beyond. This list contains practical tips, expert advice and a look at emerging technologies — all designed to help you get the most out of your lathe operations.
Machining 101: What is Turning?
Turning uses a lathe to remove material from the outside of a rotating workpiece, while boring does the same from the inside of a rotating workpiece. Learn more in this article about the basics of turning.
Video: The Value of a Desktop CNC Swiss-Type
This Swiss-type requires only 120 volts of power, basic compressed air supply, weighs in at 150 pounds and needs a table that’s just two by four feet. Learn more about this desktop lathe from APSX in this article.
Choosing Your Carbide Grade: A Guide
Without an international standard for designating carbide grades or application ranges, users must rely on relative judgments and background knowledge for success. In this article, we breakdown what constitutes a carbide grade and how each element influences different aspects of machining.
6 Tips for Training on a Swiss-Type Lathe
In this article, Vallorbs Jewel Company gives their suggestions on training employees on a Swiss-type lathe.
Second B-Axis Improves Efficiency of Swiss-Type Machining
In this article, learn how a highly stable, fully programmable B-axis on the subspindle of Nomura DS’s 20J3XBTC enables users to more quickly machine complex parts complete.
Laser Technology "Turns" into a Turning Tool
This technology uses a laser to act as a cutting tool to "turn" parts from solid barstock. This high-speed precision turning machine is especially useful for micromachining, enabling high accuracy for small, complex parts that are often delicate and difficult to machine when implementing conventional turning processes.
Buying a Lathe: The Basics
Source: Getty ImagesLathes represent some of the oldest machining technology, but it’s still helpful to remember the basics when considering the purchase of a new turning machine.
A History of Precision: The Invention and Evolution of Swiss-Style
Machining
In the late 1800s, a new technology — Swiss-type machines — emerged to serve Switzerland’s growing watchmaking industry. Today, Swiss-machined parts are ubiquitous, and there’s a good reason for that: No other machining technology can produce tiny, complex components more efficiently or at higher quality.
How to Start a Swiss Machining Department From Scratch
When Shamrock Precision needed to cut production time of its bread-and-butter parts in half, it turned to a new type of machine tool and a new CAM system. Here’s how the company succeeded, despite the newness of it all.
CAM-Driven Lathe Questions
There can be hidden issues using legacy cam-driven lathes that can be overcome using new CNC technology. Here are three to keep in mind.
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