Functional Analysis and Application Guide for Horizontal Lathes: The Core Equipment in Metal Cutting

 

As a fundamental device in the field of metal cutting, horizontal lathes occupy an important position in industries such as mechanical manufacturing, automotive parts processing, and aerospace due to their stable performance and wide range of application scenarios. The design of their horizontal spindle structure optimizes the processing range and operational convenience, meeting the precision processing requirements of various complex workpieces.

 

I. Core Functions and Industrial Applications

The core function of a horizontal lathe is to achieve precise cutting through the rotational movement of the tool and the workpiece. The specific processing scope includes:

1. Basic Shaping Processing: It can perform turning of internal and external cylindrical surfaces, conical surfaces, and end faces, suitable for shaping the contours of shaft - type and disc - type workpieces.

2. Thread Processing Capability: It supports various thread specifications such as metric, imperial, module, and diametral pitch, meeting the processing requirements of both standard and non - standard parts.

3. Expanded Hole Processing: By integrating tools such as drills and reamers in the tailstock, it can carry out in - depth processing operations like drilling and boring.

4. Realization of Special Processes: Equipped with special tools, it can complete special surface treatments such as grooving, knurling, and oil groove broaching.

This equipment is widely used in mechanical manufacturing workshops, tool maintenance departments, and laboratories, especially suitable for single - piece and small - batch production scenarios, and can handle the processing tasks of ferrous metals, non - ferrous metals, and some non - metallic materials.

 

II. Equipment Structure and Technical Advantages

The mechanical design of horizontal lathes combines the dual characteristics of rigidity and precision:

1. Enhanced Bed Structure: The combined design of double rib plates and box - type internal ribs is adopted, with the rigidity increased by more than 30% compared with the traditional single - wall structure, ensuring stability during heavy - duty cutting.

2. Modular Functional Components:

   - Spindle System: It is standard - equipped with a through - hole diameter of 104mm, supports Morse No. 5 taper tools, and the speed range covers 5.4 - 720r/min, suitable for both rough and fine processing requirements.

   - Feed System: It is equipped with 64 - level longitudinal feed adjustment (0.06 - 24.3mm/r), and the rapid traverse speed reaches 4000mm/min, improving processing efficiency.

   - Tool Post System: The four - station turret tool post supports automatic feed, and combined with TSF wear - resistant guide rail materials, it extends the service life.

3. Optimized Ergonomics: The centralized hydraulic control panel realizes the forward - reverse switching and braking control of the spindle, and the single - handle operation mode reduces the complexity of operation.

 

III. Key Points for Model Selection and Equipment Parameters

When selecting a horizontal lathe, the following technical indicators need to be evaluated:

1. Processing Range: The maximum swing diameter over the bed (commonly in the 800mm class) and the maximum workpiece length (the mainstream specifications are 1500 - 3000mm) determine the applicable range of the equipment.

2. Power Configuration: The power of the main motor is usually 11kW, and the power of the rapid - movement motor is 1.1kW, ensuring stability during high - load processing.

3. Precision Control: The hardness of the bed guide rail should reach above HRC52, and combined with the circulating lubrication system, it ensures long - term processing precision.

4. Price Range: The price of small - sized equipment (with a processing diameter of less than 300mm) is in the range of ten thousand yuan, while the price of medium - sized industrial - grade equipment (with a processing diameter of 800mm) can reach hundreds of thousands of yuan.

 

IV. Operation Specifications and Maintenance Suggestions

1. Workpiece Clamping: When using a three - jaw chuck or a four - jaw chuck, the clamping force should be ensured to be uniform. For long - shaft workpieces, a steady rest should be used to enhance stability.

2. Tool Management: Carbide or high - speed steel tools should be selected according to the hardness of the material, and the wear of the tool tip should be checked regularly.

3. Key Maintenance Points: The spindle lubricating oil should be replaced every 500 hours, the iron chips on the guide rail should be cleaned after daily operation, and the levelness of the bed should be calibrated every quarter.

As the main model accounting for 65% of the total lathe volume, horizontal lathes continuously serve the precision processing needs of modern manufacturing through continuous structural innovation and function expansion. When selecting a model, users should combine the material characteristics of the workpiece, processing precision requirements, and production batch scale to choose the appropriate speed range, power configuration, and extended function modules to achieve the optimal cost - performance ratio.