There’s much to consider if you’re looking to buy CNC machines like a used Mori Seiki lathe or a new Doosan Lynx. A CNC machine is a precision lathe that machinists use to perform various metalworking operations, especially those that need accuracy. When shopping for a lathe, whether a new Mori Seiki lathe or a used Mori Seiki lathe, you should be aware of the following before making a purchase.
Fundamentals of a Lathe Machine
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A CNC lathe machine consists of four main parts:
- Lathe bed – there are two types, basically fixed or pivoted. The framework of the lathe is held in place by the lathe bed. The workpiece is installed using headstock-mounted jaw chucks. The workpiece can also be set up in the headstock and tailstock, which will release it to spin above the lathe bed.
- Headstock- keeps the workpiece in position.
- Tailstock – helps in the clamping of long pieces of material.
- Lead screw – advances the lathe’s carriage in time with the spindle’s rotation. It produces threads using a specialized turning tool.
There are many kinds of lathe machinery, but the engine and turret lathes are the two most common CNC lathe machinery. Most lathe machinery can turn a variety of materials. They are frequently categorized into two metalworking CNC machines and woodworking CNC machines. Wood lathes are often not robust.
Determining Lathe Machine Size
If you buy CNC machinery, then swing and size measurements will be used to describe CNC machinery. The swing is the separation between the headstock and lathe bed’s centers. A workpiece’s maximum radius can be set between centers on the lathe. The workpiece will not fit between the centers of your lathe if the radius is 15 inches and the swing of your lathe is 12 inches. The second one, also known as bed size, separates the headstock and tailstock. The bed size in the illustration above would be 20 inches.
Ensure Your Machine Shop can Handle your CNC
There are many sizes and weights of lathes, from little bench CNC lathe machines to massive, industrial CNC equipment that fills entire rooms. Install your new lathe machine by considering the lathe operations you anticipate.
A lot of electricity is needed for lathe machinery. If you’re buying a new Mori Seiki lathe or a used Mori Seiki lathe, you most likely already have the required power capacity. Recheck the energy requirements of CNC equipment if adding a benchtop lathe or mini-lathe to your home workshop. So ensure you buy CNC your machine shop can accommodate.
Lathe Machine’s Capabilities
Before buying a CNC lathe machine, it’s crucial to decide what kind of lathe machinery work you’ll be doing and ensure the machine and the CNC equipment are designed for that type of job.
A cutting tool mounted and secured to a cross slide completes the turning process on the workpiece as it revolves on a spindle in a lathe. CNC machinery is perfect for anything with a cylindrical shape because of its rotating spindle. Additionally, it can thread, drill, ream, bore, sand, and knurl.
Modern tool room lathes are incredibly adaptable, especially with CNC machinery. These machines have different CNC equipment that can handle complex machining processes that other machines cannot. Milling and lathe machinery like the Mori Seiki lathe make up the majority of equipment in modern machine shops. Only buy CNC after you understand the Lathe Machine’s capabilities.
Choose Between a Belt Drive or Direct-Drive Spindle
There are two types of spindles: direct drive and manual belt drive. Although manual belt machines are slower to use, they are less expensive.
Direct-drive spindles speed lathes, however, operate more quickly and have faster cycle times. You could increase the spindle speed much faster compared to a belt-driven spindle lathe machine. The strength and precision many machinists want are still provided by belt-driven lathes, which are still a strong option. An example of such a CNC lathe machine is the Mori Seiki lathe.
Spindle Properties
Nowadays, a CNC lathe machine contains CNC equipment equipped to handle a specific range of diameters. Most machine shops invest in tools with maximum workpiece diameters. For instance, if you’re cutting 2-inch-diameter bars, the lathe machine will be constructed for turning operations on smaller diameters using 6,000-rpm spindle speeds and the appropriate amount of horsepower and torque.
However, the larger Mori Seiki lathe will have more torque than a smaller Mori Seiki lathe due to the workpiece’s weight in the jaw chuck. Larger workpieces demand higher torque and slower spindle speeds. So ensure you buy CNC with the proper spindle speed, horsepower, and torque.
Tools
Remember that you have not met your last requirement if you buy CNC machinery. You’ll require a range of cutting tools in addition to the lathe. Your current cutting method will decide what instruments you need.
Additionally, you’ll require a variety of cutting instruments, such as carbide turning tools but not restricted to:
- A Boring bar
- A Chamfering tool
- A Facing tool
- A Parting tool
- A Grooving tool
- A Thread-cutting tool
- A Knurling tool
CNC Lathe With the Best Value
A CNC lathe machine is a costly but very potent tool that would benefit any machine shop. For all your CNC lathes, contact Protech Machine Tool Sales. They offer various CNC types, including horizontal and vertical milling or machining centers and more!
