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Ways to Improve Time Efficiency of Lathes
**Introduction**
Turning workpieces on a lathe involves shaping and resizing the raw material by rotating the workpiece in the chuck while the tool moves linearly relative to it. This process allows for the creation of various parts with different shapes and specifications according to design requirements. By leveraging this principle, it is possible to enhance the geometry of the workpiece by adding auxiliary equipment and modifying the original tool material. This approach not only improves processing performance but also significantly increases work efficiency.
**1. Positioning Bolts – Figure 1: Small Four-Jaw Gripper**
**2. Workpiece Surface Positioning**
**3. Workpiece Hole Positioning**
**4. Improved Cutter Bar Body**
**5. Using Multi-Knife Cutting**
**1. Adding Auxiliary Equipment to Improve Lathe Efficiency**
In our factory's actual production, we often encounter non-standard workpieces with small ends that are round or have other shapes like square or circular. In such cases, the workpiece must be clamped using a four-jaw chuck, and the center needs to be adjusted before turning. This process is time-consuming and labor-intensive for operators. To address this, we use a small four-finger gripping device (as shown in Figure 1) that provides axial positioning, preventing the workpiece from moving during machining.
For example, when machining a square-headed bolt, the workpiece is first clamped in a three-jaw self-centering chuck, and then the small four jaws of the gripper hold the square head. After completing one part, the operator can loosen two screws on the chuck, remove the workpiece, and continue processing without significant downtime. This method reduces physical strain and saves time, significantly improving productivity.
**2. Improving Hole Positioning with Auxiliary Equipment**
When working with conical holes, ensuring concentricity between the inner and outer surfaces is critical. Traditional chuck clamping methods may lead to misalignment or difficulties in achieving precise runout. To solve this, we use a conical mandrel that matches the taper of the workpiece. As shown in Figure 3, the left end of the conical mandrel is clamped in the chuck, and the sleeve is placed over the mandrel. The washer and top apply axial pressure, ensuring tight contact between the conical surfaces. This setup allows for high-precision machining of tapered holes and simplifies the replacement process after completion.
**3. Enhancing Tool Shank and Using Multi-Knife Cutting**
In some cases, large threads with small pitches require careful handling due to high radial forces. Manual tool setting is inefficient and error-prone. By using an improved tool shank as shown in Figure 4, we can install multiple tools at once. For instance, a fixture with a fixed sleeve and cone can move along the sleeve, allowing for efficient thread cutting. Two symmetrically placed holes at the front end of the fixture serve as cooling and chip removal channels, helping maintain tool alignment and reducing wear.
**4. Applying Multi-Knife Cutting Techniques**
In the production of coal mine accessories, such as axles and couplings (e.g., M42 × 2 or M48 × 2), multi-knife cutting proves highly effective. As shown in Figure 5, two knives can be installed on one side of the tool holder. One knife is used for creating the thread clearance groove, while the other cuts the dead tip. This method eliminates the need to rotate the tool holder, keeping the lathe’s scales unchanged and ensuring consistent thread accuracy. It doubles the efficiency compared to traditional single-tool setups.
**Conclusion**
By applying these practical techniques, operators can reduce manual effort, improve efficiency, and ensure higher product quality. These methods also contribute to shorter production cycles and support energy conservation goals. Looking ahead, continuous innovation and refinement of these processes will further enhance productivity and operational flexibility.