Horizontal and Vertical Lathes
Horizontal lathes have a main spindle that orients spinning workpieces horizontally as a static tool moves down the length of the workpiece to shape the part. These were the world’s first machine tools. Vertical turret lathes (VTLs) have main spindles that are oriented vertically. VTLs in which the spindle faces upward are often used for large, heavy workpieces as they use gravity to their advantage in clamping parts during turning operations. VTLs in which the main spindle faces downward offer the advantage of using the main spindle as a part pickup device, essentially serving as its own robotic part loader. Both horizontal lathes and VTLs are often available with live-tooling spindles to perform operations such as milling and cross drilling in an attempt to machine parts complete in one setup.
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Read MoreFAQ: Horizontal & Vertical Lathes
What is a horizontal lathe?
Horizontal lathes have a main spindle that orients spinning workpieces horizontally as a static tool moves down the length of the workpiece to shape the part. These were the world’s first machine tools.
What is a vertical lathe?
Vertical turret lathes (VTLs) have main spindles that are oriented vertically. VTLs in which the spindle faces upward are often used for large, heavy workpieces as they use gravity to their advantage in clamping parts during turning operations.
What does a lathe do?
Lathes are commonly used to reduce the diameter of a workpiece to a specific dimension, producing a smooth surface finish. Basically, the cutting tool approaches the rotating workpiece until it begins peeling away the surface as it moves linearly across the side (if the part is a shaft) or across the face (if the part is drum-shaped).
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