In this
paper we would like to bring a little more clarity to the terminology of the
product lathe.
In the
german language we know two expressions, “Drehmaschine” and “Drehbank”. This
problem is not existing in the english language, lathe is lathe.
In
lexicons it is clearly defined that the term “Drehmaschine” is the current
expression. If you refer to the Machinery Directive, you can see that the term
“Drehbank” no longer exists in relation to machines.
Similar
old / new definitions also exist in the german language in several other
fields, e.g. for tools. This might be the reason why a lot of people say german
laguage, difficult language.
Lathes
can be used in the metal industry, the wood industry or in the plastics sector.
There are also applications in which lathes are used as testing machines. With
a mounted dial gauge, e.g. the concentricity of a workpiece can be checked very
easily within certain tolerance ranges.
If we look at the history of the trades and
industries, the terms lathe are not the only ones. Especially in the
woodworking industry there is also the hand turning lathes. Ultimately, it is
nothing more than a lathe that does not have a tool holder. The turning tools
are guided by hand. There is only one support for positioning manually the
turning tools. Hand turning lathes can be used not only for wood, but also for
other non-metallic materials.
The
terms become more confusing, or in other words more differentiated, when it
comes to automation from the simple lathe. The whole thing then culminates in
the term “machining center”.
On this
occasion, terms such as universal machines and workshop machines should not be
forgotten.
1.
Lathes of the conventional type, driven via central
shafts and speed change via belts and pulley sets
2.
Lathes of the conventional type, driven by electric
motors and switchable gears for changing the speed
3.
Lathes and automatic lathes of the conventional type,
driven by electric motors and control cams
4.
Lathes of conventional type with lead and pull spindles
5.
Lathes with NC control and electric drives
6.
Lathes with CNC controls, sensors, electric motors and
servo drives
7. Multi-axis machining
centers with CNC control
Another
branch in the directions of multi-spindle lathes, turret lathes or the simple
case of counter-spindle lathes shows some of the developments. These machines
also initially existed conventionally and have developed through to
CNC-controlled lathes.
The categories on tramao.de in the field of metal
(metalworking machines):
The categories on tramao.de in the area of wood (woodworking machines):
In the
compilation of the categories, it is also noticeable that the term “lathe” is
primarily used in the metal sector, while the term woodworking lathe is used
much more frequently in the wood sector.