The Working Principles of Screw Cutting Lathe

09 February 2022

Tons of manufacturing processes are maximised by manufacturers so they can generate different parts and products. One of the processes they typically utilise is thread cutting.

Thread cutting is a manufacturing process that generates a screw thread. There are specific conditions where thread cutting can be carried out. These conditions include the need for a full depth in a thread, the quantity of workpiece is small, the blank used is not highly accurate, and the materials are brittle. When performing thread cutting, manufacturers would normally use screw-cutting lathes.

Screw cutting lathes have been around for a very long time. And as time passes, these tools have seen significant improvements and modifications that allow them to remain useful today.

An Introduction to Screw Cutting Lathes

Screw cutting lathes are tools that can effectively cut both internal and external threads of workpieces. For hundreds of years, manufacturers have utilised these tools manually. With the help of the right set of cutting tools and materials, they can effectively produce products needed by industries.

But to make everything easier, most manufacturers have geared towards automation. Through computer numerical control (CNC) machines, screw-cutting lathes have been modified to ensure that more products can be generated in a short time. CNC machines have likewise enabled screw-cutting lathes to process workpieces at varying thread sizes and forms. These machines even helped manufacturers maximise screw-cutting lathes in producing quality products all the time.

Screw Cutting Lathes’ Main Operations

There are several elements of screw-cutting lathes’ main operations that can be set with CNC machines. The cut depth, for instance, can be altered by changing the movement speed of the cutter and the rotation speed of the workpiece. The uniformity of the screw thread, on the other hand, can be set by changing the programmed feed rate per revolution.

As the lathe rotates the workpiece, some of its materials may be removed, helping it form the specified thread. Keep in mind that the entry of the cutting tool to the workpiece can be changed so it can match the strength of its materials as well as other application requirements. Some ways on how the cutting tool can enter the workpiece are angular in-feeding, modified angular in-feeding, and radial in-feeding.

Of course, the quality of these tools’ operations can be affected by temperature, tool wear, and the absence of coolant. Conducting assessments before operations can help ensure more consistent output.

Major Benefits of Screw Cutting Lathes

With screw-cutting lathes, the products are expected to boast great qualities. They do not likewise require additional finishing or tooling once the process is done. After the workpieces have been processed, they can already be maximised and used by businesses that need them.

If you need to find out more about screw-cutting lathes and the processes involved with these tools, you can call us at Kinetic Engineering. We are a proudly Australian owned and family-run CNC machining and general engineering services company that was first established in 1984 with a vision to grow within the industry and produce quality Australian made products for its customers.

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