Vertical tower lathes can be controlled by computer programs.
The vertical turret lathe is a specialized tool for metal machining. While traditional lathes hold the workpiece in a horizontal position parallel to the ground, the vertical turret vise positions the workpiece at a 90-degree angle to the ground, much like a potter’s wheel. The turret is an adjustable tool holding device that facilitates manufacturing because it can be used to make several different cuts on a turned part without operator interaction or tool changes.
Turret lathes differ from traditional lathes in that they do not require a human operator to manually position cutting tools. The turret contains a variety of cutting equipment and is capable of placing these blades against the metal with the proper pressure and position for precision cutting, also called turning. This increases operator safety and improves the overall quality of production parts.
Vertical turret lathes offer an additional distinction from other types of lathes in their unique positioning of the workpiece. This 90-degree alignment gives the vertical lathe its designation as a vertical boring machine. The unique stock alignment makes it possible to perform cutting tasks on large, heavy objects that would be too short to turn with traditional horizontal lathes.
While traditional lathes were used to create turned parts for many years before the invention of the vertical turret lathe, the addition of the turret made it possible to mass-produce parts with greater precision and speed. Later evolutions of the vertical turret lathe even eliminated the need for human operators to manually operate the machine. This specialized cutting equipment can be controlled by computer programs and servomechanisms or a template system to move the cutting tool along the part to the proper locations. By eliminating much of the potential for human error and creating a simple setup that performed multiple functions, the vertical turret lathe improved the quality and production speed of mass-produced parts.
In manufacturing setups, the vertical turret lathe is sometimes set up to perform a single set of tasks that it rarely changes from. The turret is loaded with the appropriate cutting tools for these tasks and is either programmed using computer technology or manually set to perform a series of repetitive tasks. In such situations, the operator’s primary role is simply to ensure that the vertical turret lathe is operating properly and is replenished with material to work with.