A CNC lathe consists of a CNC control unit, bed, headstock, tool post feed system, tailstock, hydraulic system, cooling system, lubrication system, and chip conveyor.
CNC lathes are divided into two types: vertical CNC lathes and horizontal CNC lathes.
Vertical CNC lathes are used for turning disc-shaped parts with large rotation diameters.
Horizontal CNC lathes are used for turning disc-shaped parts with long axial dimensions or small disc-shaped parts.
Horizontal CNC lathes can be further divided into economic CNC lathes, ordinary CNC lathes, and turning machining centers according to their functions.
Economic CNC Lathes: These are simplified CNC lathes created by modifying the turning feed system of an ordinary lathe using a stepper motor and a microcontroller. They have lower costs, lower automation and functionality, and lower turning accuracy, making them suitable for turning rotating parts with less demanding requirements.
Conventional CNC lathes: These are CNC lathes specifically designed in terms of structure to meet the requirements of turning operations, and equipped with a general-purpose CNC system. The CNC system is highly functional, with a relatively high degree of automation and machining accuracy, making them suitable for turning general rotary parts. This type of CNC lathe can simultaneously control two coordinate axes, namely the x-axis and the z-axis.
