The structure of a horizontal lathe

The core structure of a horizontal lathe consists of two major parts: the ‌ basic support component ‌ and the ‌ motion transmission/functional component ‌. Each component has a clear division of labor and jointly completes the core actions of cutting processing. The specific structure and functions are as follows:

1. Bed: The basic support frame of a machine tool

position ‌ : Fixed on the left and right bed legs, it serves as the installation base for the entire lathe.

Construction features ‌ : It is integrally cast from high-quality cast iron, with a V-shaped + flat double guide rail structure inside. The guide rail surface is precisely ground and manually scraped to achieve micron-level flatness, which can simultaneously ensure the guiding accuracy and torsional rigidity during longitudinal movement. Some of the bed feet are filled with damping materials that can absorb more than 30% of the cutting vibration, ensuring processing stability.

Core function ‌ : It supports all core components such as the spindle box, feed box, slide box, tool rest, and tailstock, ensuring that each component always maintains an accurate relative position during operation.

2. Headstock: The power core of the main motion

position ‌ : Fixed at the left end of the bed, it is the most prominent head component of the lathe.

Construction features ‌ : It integrates the main motor drive system, multi-stage speed change mechanism, and spindle assembly internally. Some models have a hollow spindle structure, which can not only accommodate the processing of long bar stock but also enhance the rigidity of the spindle itself.

The core function of ‌ is ‌ : it transmits the rotational motion of the main motor to the main shaft through the speed change mechanism, allowing the main shaft to obtain different rotational speeds and forward and reverse directions, driving the workpiece clamped on the main shaft to rotate and complete the main motion of cutting. At the same time, a portion of the power will be allocated to transfer the motion to the subsequent feed system.

3. Feed box: A variable speed regulator for feed motion

position ‌ : Fixed on the left front side of the bed, below the spindle box.

Also known as the feed box, it is equipped with a variable speed gear mechanism for feed motion inside, and the transmission ratio can be changed by adjusting the handle.

Core function ‌ : Adjust the feed rate of the tool and the pitch during thread processing; After the adjustment is completed, the motion is transmitted to the slide box through the smooth screw or lead screw, and ultimately drives the tool rest to complete the feed cutting.

4. Slide box: The control box for the execution of feed motion

position ‌ : Fixed at the bottom of the tool rest/bed saddle component and integrated with the tool rest.

Structural features ‌ : It is equipped with a motion conversion mechanism inside, which can convert the rotational motion transmitted by the smooth screw and lead screw into the linear feed motion of the tool rest. It is also equipped with an operating handle and buttons externally, facilitating direct operation by workers.

The core function of ‌ is ‌ : It drives the tool rest to achieve automatic feed in the longitudinal and transverse directions through the smooth screw transmission, and drives the tool rest to perform precise longitudinal linear motion through the lead screw transmission to complete the thread turning process.

5. Lead screws and smooth screws: Bridges for motion transmission

position ‌ : connects the feed box and the slide box, located below the guide rail on the front side of the bed.

Core division of labor ‌ : Lead screws are specifically used for turning threads and are only employed during thread processing. Feed rates are precisely transmitted through lead screws. The smooth bar is used for the feed drive of ordinary outer circle, end face and other cutting processes, driving the tool rest to complete the conventional feed action, achieving the separation of two different movements to ensure processing accuracy.

6. Tool rest component: The carrier for clamping and moving the cutting tool

position ‌ : Located on the saddle in the middle of the bed, it can move longitudinally along the guide rails of the bed.

Construction features ‌ : Composed of multiple layers of sliding plates (saddle, medium sliding plate, small sliding plate), it can achieve multi-directional position adjustment.

Core function ‌ : Clamp the turning tool, drive the turning tool to complete longitudinal, transverse or oblique feed motion, and adapt to the cutting requirements of workpieces of different shapes and sizes.

7. Tailstock: Auxiliary support and hole processing carrier

position ‌ : Installed on the guide rail at the right end of the bed, its position can be adjusted along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail.

Core function ‌ : After installation, the center supports the other end of the longer workpiece to prevent the workpiece from shaking due to excessive length during processing. Drill bits, reamers and other hole processing tools can also be installed to directly complete drilling, reaming and other hole processing procedures on the lathe.

The above is the complete core structure of a horizontal lathe. The composition of a conventional horizontal lathe can be summarized as "‌ one bed, one box, two screws, three tools plus one seat ‌", namely the bed, headstock, lead screw and smooth screw, feed box/slide box/tool rest, and tailstock, covering all core functional requirements.