Because turning refers to the rotation of the part, CNC lathes may be referred to as CNC turning machines. The CNC lathe is controlled by a computer, which instructs the machine on how to cut and shape the material.

What materials can a CNC lathe work with?

CNC lathes are commonly used to work on various metals, some of which are softer to work with than others. Aluminium, brass, and steel are the most used materials. In addition, CNC lathes can cut wood, plastics, and foam.

What types of precision work can a CNC lathe perform?

CNC machining is a “subtractive” process, which means that you start with a material and remove parts to create the desired result. The CNC lathes can be programmed to carve almost any type of tool, including automobile frames and components, toys, gears, and cylindrical objects with both an inner and outer diameter.

In rare instances, CNC lathes are used to replicate or reverse engineer almost anything that fits within the parameters of the machine.

CNC lathe components

A CNC lathe is made up of several major components, each of which plays an important role.

Headstock

The headstock, which houses the motor, is the first component of the lathe. This motor controls the main spindle, responsible for spinning the material to be cut.