The Differences between CNC Lathe and Universal Lathe

CNC Lathe

1.      CNC Lathe adopts the fully-closed or semi-closed protection device, which can prevent chips or cutting fluid splashing out to make any accident or injury to the operator.

2.      Most of all CNC Lathes adopts the automatic chip conveyor. CNC Lathe includes Flat Bed and Slant Bed structure layout, chip convey is very convenient, and is easy to use automatic chip conveyor.

3.      Spindle speed is high; and workpiece clamping is safe and reliable. CNC lathe are mostly adopts the hydraulic clamping, clamping force adjustment is convenient and reliable, in the meanwhile, it also reduce the labor intensity of the operators.

4.      Automatic tool changer. CNC lathe adopts automatic rotary toolpost, which can change tools automatically in the process of machining and complete the whole process continuously.

5.      Main and feeding transmission are separated. CNC Lathes adopts the independent servo motor for Main and feeding transmission, make the transmission chain simple and reliable; at the same time; each motor can move individually and also can realize multi-axis simultaneous/linkage.

Universal Lathe & CNC Lathe

1.      Universal lathe needs to operate manually, but it is flexible, and large set of equipment has large torque. For one-piece product, it is convenient. However, for Surface processing, universal lathe makes trouble for processing tapered and arc products because it only has the spindle motor. When using tools, it needs operator make it by hand. No detection device and display device, DRO Except.

2.      The numerical control lathe controls everything by numerical control system, including feeding, speed, and feed, and can do profile processing. However, for large set of equipment, its torque is relatively small. But every part needs to be more precise, and convenient to do surface processing. It has a detection device and display device, which is suitable for mass production.

In Sum

Compared with the Universal Lathe, CNC Lathe has the following features:

(1) The advantages

1. The processing precision is high, and has high machining quality.

2. Can do multi-axis simultaneous movement and can process complicated shape parts;

3. When the machining parts need to be changed,only need to change the CNC program generally, which can save production preparation time;

4. The machine tool itself has high precision and rigidity specifications, which can choose favorable processing amount, and with high productivity characteristics (Generally speaking, it is 3~ 5 times compared with Universal Lathe).

5. Machine tool automation degree is high, which can reduce labor intensity;

6. Mass production, product quality is easy to control;

(2) The disadvantages

1. The operator's predisposition requirement is low, but the requirements of high technology for maintenance personnel are high.

2. Not easy to control its processing route, not like universal lathe, more perceptual intuition.

3. The maintenance is inconvenience, needs high technical requirements;

4. The processing technology is not easy tocontrol.

CNC Lathe uses numerical control program to control the machine tool to realize automatic processing;

Compared with the universal lathe, CNC machine has strong adaptability, which is suitable for machining single piece and small batch complex products;

CNC Lathe has High machining precision, and numerical control machine tools’ pulse equivalent can be 0.001 mm/pulse;

CNC Lathe has High production efficiency, which can be implemented on a machine tool of multiple continuous processing, improving the production efficiency greatly;

Labor intensity is low, automation degree is high;

Good economic benefit;

It is conducive to do modernization of production management.