Procedure for Turning and Facing Operation on a Lathe Machine
1. Preparation Stage
a. Material Selection:
- Select a suitable workpiece (e.g., Mild Steel Rod).
- Ensure it's free of rust, oil, and dust.
b. Measurement and Marking:
- Use a steel rule and scriber to mark the reference face and desired length on the
workpiece.
c. Machine Setup:
- Ensure the lathe machine is clean and well-lubricated.
- Set the proper cutting tool (HSS or carbide-tipped) in the tool post.
- Tighten the tool securely and ensure the cutting edge is at the center height (use a center
gauge if available).
2. Mounting the Workpiece
- Insert the workpiece into the lathe chuck (usually a 3-jaw chuck for cylindrical parts).
- Tighten it firmly using a chuck key. Ensure the workpiece is properly aligned and doesn't
wobble.
- Manually rotate the chuck to confirm the workpiece clearance.
3. Setting Cutting Parameters
- Select and set appropriate spindle speed (RPM) based on material and diameter (300–800
RPM for mild steel).
- Set feed rate (e.g., 0.1–0.3 mm/rev) depending on tool and desired finish.
- Apply cutting fluid if needed (helps in cooling and lubrication).
4. Facing Operation
- Move the carriage to bring the facing tool close to the end of the workpiece.
- Turn on the lathe machine.
- Slowly move the tool towards the center of the workpiece using the cross-slide.
- Make light passes to ensure a smooth, flat face.
- Repeat until the surface is fully flat and perpendicular to the axis.
5. Turning Operation
- Change to a turning tool in the tool post.
- Set the tool slightly above center for rough turning, exactly at center for finishing.
- Adjust depth of cut using compound rest or carriage (typical depth: 0.5–1 mm/pass).