How to choose the right roll-up covers for a lathe
Category : BLOG
Table of Contents
What is it used for and how is a metal lathe built?
Lathes for metal machining are irreplaceable machine tools in the process of producing various elements and machine parts. They are used in the machining industry for machining objects, most often with the surface of rotary solids (rollers, cones, balls, internal and external threads, etc.). The machining tool in a lathe is most often a lathe cutter, a drill or threading tools. Conventional lathes have cast iron bodies that constitute the following machine components: bed, base legs, headstock, feed box (Norton), speed box (Reducer), support box, cross slide, tool support with a tool post, tailstock, etc.
How to work safely on a lathe
An important issue when operating lathes during production is work safety, which involves compliance with occupational health and safety regulations by operators, and securing the working space of the machine by using special safety covers. Lathe operators should be authorized to operate the machine, undergo occupational health and safety training and follow the job instructions so that work is performed in accordance with occupational health and safety rules.
In order to protect the lathe against hazards occurring while operating the machine, the following safety covers should be used:
- Lathe chuck cover, e.g.: PTO-01/500
- Tool post cover, e.g. PTO-10/435
- Rear cover, e.g.: PTO-31/080
- Roll-up covers PAM series protect the lead screw and the drive shaft.
How to choose the right roll-up covers for a lathe
We select roller covers for lathes depending on the technical parameters of the machine, primarily: the turning length in the centers, the width of the lead screw and the drive shaft, and additional components of the lathe, e.g. location of the tailstock manual feed crank in the place of mounting the roller covers. Depending on the machine construction, for example the feed crank location, it might be necessary to install 2 or 3 pcs of the roll-up covers. A professional supplier or manufacturer of protective covers will always advise the user which of the offered covers will perfectly fit his machine tool and will provide all the necessary instructions for their installation.
Be sure to also check lathe steady rest functions & use.
