The difference between CNC machine tools and turning centers may be beyond imagination? The difference between CNC lathes and turning centers is a question that everyone is concerned about, but many people have no way to find detailed records in this regard. This article will take this opportunity to take you to understand the difference between CNC lathes and turning centers more reasonably from different aspects. I hope more people can get the information they want from this article. For more information, please refer to the details of this article.
CNC lathes can be divided into two categories: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal lathes have two types of horizontal guides and inclined guides. Higher-grade CNC horizontal lathes generally use inclined guides. According to the number of tool holders, they can be divided into single-tool holder CNC lathes and double-tool holder CNC lathes. The former is two-coordinate control and the latter is four-coordinate control. Most double-tool holder horizontal lathes use inclined guides.
CNC lathes, like ordinary lathes, are also used to process rotating surfaces of parts. Generally, it can automatically complete the processing of outer cylindrical surfaces, conical surfaces, spherical surfaces and threads, and can also process some complex rotating surfaces, such as hyperboloids. The workpiece installation method of lathes and ordinary lathes is basically the same. In order to improve the processing efficiency, CNC lathes mostly use hydraulic, pneumatic and electric chucks.
The appearance of CNC lathes is similar to that of ordinary lathes, that is, it consists of bed, spindle box, tool holder, feed system pressure system, cooling and lubrication system and other parts. The feed system of CNC lathes is qualitatively different from that of ordinary lathes. Traditional ordinary lathes have feed boxes and exchange gear racks, while CNC lathes directly use servo motors to drive slides and tool holders through ball screws to realize feed motion, so the structure of the feed system is greatly simplified.
There are many varieties of CNC lathes with different specifications, which can be classified as follows.
Classification by lathe spindle position
(1) Vertical CNC lathe Vertical CNC lathe is referred to as CNC vertical lathe. Its lathe spindle is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. A circular worktable with a large diameter is used to clamp the workpiece. This type of machine tool is mainly used to process large and complex parts with large radial dimensions and relatively small axial dimensions.
(2) Horizontal CNC lathe Horizontal CNC lathe is divided into CNC horizontal guide horizontal lathe and CNC inclined guide horizontal lathe. Its inclined guide structure can make the lathe more rigid and easy to remove chips.
Classification by basic type of processed parts
(1) Chuck type CNC lathe This type of lathe has no tailstock and is suitable for turning disc-type (including short shaft) parts. The clamping method is mostly electric or hydraulic control, and the chuck structure mostly has adjustable jaws or unhardened jaws (i.e. soft jaws).
(2) Center type CNC lathe This type of lathe is equipped with a normal tailstock or a CNC tailstock, which is suitable for turning longer parts and disc-type parts with a diameter not too large.
Classification by tool holder number
(1) Single tool holder CNC lathes are generally equipped with various forms of single tool holders, such as four-station horizontal turret tool holders or multi-station turret automatic turret tool holders.
(2) Double tool holder CNC lathes The double tool holders of this type of lathe are arranged in parallel or perpendicular to each other.
Classification by function
(1) Economic CNC lathes are simple CNC lathes formed by modifying the feed system of ordinary lathes with stepper motors and single-chip microcomputers. They have low cost, but poor automation and function, and low turning accuracy. They are suitable for turning of rotary parts with low requirements.
(2) Ordinary CNC lathes are specially designed in structure according to turning requirements and equipped with general CNC systems. The CNC system has strong functions, high automation and processing accuracy, and are suitable for turning of general rotary parts. This type of CNC lathe can control two coordinate axes, namely the X axis and the Z axis, at the same time.
(3) Based on the ordinary CNC lathe, the turning center adds a C axis and a power head. The more advanced CNC lathe is equipped with a tool magazine and can control the three coordinate axes of X, Z and C. The linkage control axis can be (X, Z), (X, C) or (Z, C). Due to the addition of the C axis and milling power head, the processing function of this CNC lathe is greatly enhanced. In addition to general turning, it can also perform radial and axial milling, surface milling, drilling of holes whose center lines are not at the center of rotation of the part, and drilling of radial holes.
