University of Zakho

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Manufacturing process / workshop

Lathe machine

Prepared by : Rone Ali Kaso

Supervised by : Mr . Ahmed
Submitting date : 2/12/2025
3rd stage
2025 – 2026
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Working principle of lathe machine ...................................................................................................... 4
Lathe machine cutting tool .................................................................................................................... 4
Lathe operation ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Parts of Lathe Machine .......................................................................................................................... 6
Safety measures to take when using a lathe......................................................................................... 7
Exercises No. 1&2 cutting and facing .................................................................................................... 8
Exercises No. 3 turning ........................................................................................................................... 9
Exercises No. 4 taper turning ............................................................................................................... 10
Exercises No. 5 knurling ....................................................................................................................... 11
Exercises No. 6 drilling ......................................................................................................................... 12
Discussion: ............................................................................................................................................ 13

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Introduction
A lathe machine is one of the most important tools in any workshop because it can shape metal,
wood, and many other materials with high accuracy. It works by holding a workpiece and
rotating it at different speeds while a cutting tool moves against it to remove material. This
process makes it possible to produce smooth, round, and precise parts like shafts, bolts,
bushings, and many mechanical components.
People like using the lathe because it is flexible and easy to control. By adjusting the speed,
depth of cut, and feed, you can make different shapes such as cylinders, tapers, threads, and
grooves. Lathes are used in industries like automotive, manufacturing, maintenance, and even
in training workshops because they help students understand basic machining skills.
Overall, the lathe machine is a reliable and essential tool that makes shaping and finishing work
faster, more accurate, and more practical in real-life applications.

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Working principle of lathe machine
Working Principle: The lathe is a machine tool that holds the work item in a chuck or
face plate that turns, or between two rigid and powerful supports known as centers. A tool post
that is fed up against the rotating work firmly holds and supports the cutting tool. The cutting
tool is fed during standard cutting operations either parallel to or at a right angle to the axis of
the job.
For the purpose of machining tapers and angles, the cutting tool may also be fed at an
angle with respect to the work axis.

Lathe machine cutting tool

1- Extemal thread tool 2- Tuming tool 3- Intermal tool 4- Chamfering tool
5- Round nose tool 6- Grooving tool 7- Under cutting tool 8- Facing tool
9- Reaming tool 10- Boring tool

Figure1 : lathe machine cutting tool

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Lathe operation
A lathe is a machine that rotates the workpiece about an axis to perform different
operations such as turning, facing, taper turning, knurling, grooving, parting off, thread
cutting, reaming, [Link]’s discuss some important lathe machine operations :

Cutting operations: It is the process of cutting a workpiece after it has been machined to the
required shape and size.
Facing operation: It is a machining operation that is done to produce flat surfaces at the ends
of the workpiece. This operation is performed by feeding the tool perpendicular to the axis of
rotation of the chuck.
Turning operation: In turning operation, the excess material is removed from the surface of
the workpiece to produce a cylindrical surface of desired shape and size.
Taper turning operation: Taper turning means to produce a conical shape by a gradual
reduction in diameter from a cylindrical workpiece.
Drilling operation: It is an operation of making a hole in a work piece with the help of a drill.
In this operation, the work piece is held in a chuck and the drill is held in the tailstock.
Knurling operation: The knurling is a process of embossing (impressing) a diamond-shaped
or straight-line pattern into the surface of workpiece.

Facing operation Cutting operations Drilling operation

Turning operation Taper turning operation

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Parts of Lathe Machine
Here we discuss some important parts of lathe machine which is useful for performing
the operation of lathe machine as follows:
Bed : The bed of the lathe machine is the base on which all the other parts of the lathe are
mounted. The bed is made from Cast iron or nickel cast iron alloy and is supported on broad
box-section columns.
Headstock : The headstock is present on the left end of the bed .The main function of the
headstock is to transmit power to the different parts of the lathe .It supports the main spindle
in the bearing and aligns it properly. It also houses a necessary transmission mechanism with
speed changing levers to obtain different speeds
Carriage : A carriage is another feature of lathes, and it is tucked in between the headstock
and tailstock. The carriage is in charge of controlling the tool bit as it manipulates or cuts the
workpiece.
Tailstock : The tailstock is a movable casting located opposite to the headstock on the way of
the bed . Thebasic function of the tail stockis:
❖ To support the other end of the work when being machined.
❖ To hold a tool for performing operations like drilling , reaming, tapping, etc.
Compound Rest: Compound rest is present on the top of the cross slide. It supports the tool
post and cutting tool in its various positions. Compound rest is necessary for turning angles
and boring short tapers and forms on forming tools.
Tool post : A tool post is the part on a lathe that holds the cutting tool securely during
machining operations.
Chuck: Chuck is basically used to hold the workpiece, particularly of short length and large
diameter or of irregular shape which can't be conveniently mounted between centers . It can be
attached to the lathe by screwing on the spindle nose.
Cross slide : When performing facing operations, a lathe cross slide acts as a mobile platform
for a static tool bit. To perform cutting operations, the cross slide of a milling machine or drill
press moves a workpiece across the axis of a revolving tool bit.

Figure 2 : parts of lathe machine

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Safety measures to take when using a lathe

1. Put on the proper safety eyewear. Others around may also need to put on protective
glasses since things will fly off the job.
2. Make sure all entanglement risks are eliminated (e.g. loose clothing, loose gloves,
jewelry, etc.). Constrict and tie back lengthy hair.
3. Keep any obstacles or slip hazards off the floor.
4. For the speed, feed, and depth of cut for materials being turned, adhere to the project
criteria. Ensure that everything is focused and accurate.
5. The center-drill drill bit penetrates the material sufficiently to support the piece as it
rotates.
6. The working piece should be secured and clamped.
7. Before turning on the machine, remove all tools, measuring devices, and other items
from the saddle or the lathe bed.
8. Before mounting or removing accessories, turn off the motor's power supply.
9. Keep tools, materials, and scraps off the work surface.
10. Keep the area under the lathe clean and grease- and oil-free.

Avoid performing these when using a lathe.

1. Wearing loose clothing, jewelry, watches, or gloves is prohibited. Constrict and tie back
lengthy hair.
2. Avoid leaning on the device. Stay upright. Stay away from flying chips with your face
and eyes.
3. Do not place hands on work turning in the lathe.
4. When a machine is operating, avoid touching the workpiece with calipers or gauges.
5. Avoid making deep cuts on long, thin pieces as they may bend and fly out of the lathe.
6. When the lathe is turning, never leave it unattended.

Fig 3 (Safety)

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Exercises No. 1&2 cutting and facing

Cutting exercises Procedure :

1. First we took our workpiece and installed it in chuck

2. We have to zero the cutter with workpiece
3. We turn on the lathe machine in high speed
4. Then we take part of it measuring 106 𝑚𝑚

facing exercises Procedure :

1. First We took our workpiece and installed it in chuck

2. We chang cutting pen with facing pen
3. We zeroed the cutter with the workpiece
4. We turn on the lathe machine in high speed
5. After that we cut for each end side 3 𝑚𝑚 to get correct length 100 𝑚𝑚

Our workpiece diameter is 40 mm before we starting facing operation , we cut the surface
of our workpiece 1mm and then 2mm and then 3mm until the diameter of workpiece is equal
to 35mm and its length is equal to 100 mm .

Result
Our workpieces after facing and cutting operations

Figure 4 : cutting and facing operation

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Exercises No. 3 turning

1. We zeroed the cutter with the workpiece

2. Then we Increase the speed of the lathe machine
3. Then we turned our workpiece to 3 part with different diameter
Measurement of part :
First part = (35 mm diameter – 35 mm long)
Second part = (25 mm diameter – 35 mm long)
Third part = (15 mm diameter – 20 mm long)

Result : workpiece before and after the turnimg

Before after

Fig5: (turning operation)

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Exercises No. 4 taper turning
In this operation we do some calculations to determine angle of the
component rest , when (𝐿 = 30.3𝑚𝑚 , 𝐷 = 29.6 𝑚𝑚 , 𝑑 = 20.1 𝑚𝑚 )

𝐷−𝑑
tan 𝜃 =
2𝐿

𝐷−𝑑 29.6−20.1
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 , 𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 = 8.9°
2𝐿 2∗30.3

Result : workpiece before and after the taper turnimg

Before after

Fig6: (taper turning operation)

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Exercises No. 5 knurling
1. We Chang the cutter with knurling cutter
2. Decrease the speed to 45 rev/min
3. We did the knurling operation for the length 40mm and 40mm diameter

Result

Our workpiece after and before knurling

Before after

Fig7: (knurling operation)

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Exercises No. 6 drilling
1. First we connect drill in tail stock
2. We zeroed the top of drill with the end of the workpiece (at diameter 40 mm)
3. Finally we created hole in our workpiece in depth 30.7 𝑚𝑚

Calculation
𝑟 10
𝐻= = = 5.7
tan(60) tan(60)

25 + 𝐻 = 30.7 𝑚𝑚

Result : workpiece after the drilling

Figure 8: Drilling operation

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Discussion:
In this experiment, I got the chance to see and work with the lathe machine, which is mainly
used for cutting and shaping materials. It was my first real look at how the turning process
works. I learned the basic parts of the machine, what each part does, and how they all work
together to produce accurate shapes. I also understood that the lathe is used to create rotational
and axis-symmetric parts with many features like holes, tapers, steps with different diameters,
and even smooth contoured surfaces. Even though I only practiced a small part of the operation,
it gave me a good idea of how the machine works in real situations. I know I will learn more
advanced work on the lathe in the third and fourth stages, and I’m excited to build more skills.
One of the most important things we focused on was safety. We learned how to protect
ourselves, use the machine correctly, and avoid problems while working in the workshop.
.

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