The main components include: headstock, change gearbox, feed gearbox, apron, tool post, tailstock, feed screw, leadscrew, bed, legs, and cooling system.
Headstock: Also known as the spindle headstock, its main function is to transmit the rotary motion from the main motor through a series of speed-changing mechanisms to achieve the required forward and reverse rotational speeds of the spindle. Simultaneously, the headstock also distributes some power to the feed gearbox. The spindle is a critical component of the lathe. The smoothness of the spindle’s operation on the bearings directly affects the machining quality of the workpiece; once the spindle’s rotational accuracy decreases, the machine tool’s usability diminishes.
Feed gearbox: Also known as the toolbox, it contains the speed-changing mechanism for the feed motion. Adjusting this mechanism allows for the acquisition of the desired feed rate or pitch, which is then transmitted to the tool post for cutting via the feed screw or leadscrew. Lead screw and feed screw: Used to connect the feed box and the apron, transmitting the motion and power of the feed box to the apron, enabling the apron to achieve longitudinal linear motion. The lead screw is specifically designed for turning various threads. When turning other surfaces of the workpiece, only the feed screw is used, not the lead screw. Students should distinguish between the feed screw and the lead screw in conjunction with the apron content.
Apron: The control box for the lathe’s feed motion, containing a mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the feed screw and lead screw into the linear motion of the tool post. The longitudinal feed motion, transverse feed motion, and rapid traverse of the tool post are achieved through the feed screw transmission, while the longitudinal linear motion of the tool post is driven by the lead screw for thread turning.
Tool Post: Consists of two sliding plates (medium and small sliding plates), the saddle, and the tool post body. Used to mount the cutting tool and drive it to move longitudinally, transversely, or obliquely.
Tailstock: Mounted on the bed guide rail and moves longitudinally along this rail to adjust its working position. The tailstock is primarily used to mount the tailstock center to support longer workpieces. It can also be used to mount drills, reamers, etc., for hole machining.
The bed is a large, fundamental component of the lathe, requiring high precision in Kyoto lathes. It features guideways (wedge-shaped and flat guideways) to support and connect the various parts of the lathe, ensuring accurate relative positioning of each component during operation.
The cooling system primarily uses a water pump to pressurize the cutting fluid in the tank and spray it onto the cutting area. This lowers the cutting temperature, flushes away chips, and lubricates the machined surface, thereby improving tool life and workpiece surface finish.
