CNC lathe is a type of common CNC machine, applied single clamping, and continuous automatic machining to complete all turning operations. CNC turning service refers to the operation of cutting a workpiece on a lathe. As a widely used components processing method, what should we pay attention to in CNC machine operation? Check out the key points below.

CNC Lathe Machine Operation Tutorial - What Should We Pay Attention to Before CNC Operating Procedure 

CNC lathe, Computer Numerical Control lathe is usually designed to fabricate custom CNC turning parts, the tools paths programmed with a CAD or CAM process, then upload to the CNC machine, then the lathe machine can implement the operation as per the designs.

1. Choose appropriate machining conditions

The material to be processed, cutting tools, and cutting conditions are indispensable to the high-efficiency metal cutting processing, which determine machining time, tool life and quality of CNC machining parts. A cost-effective CNC lathe process must have the right cutting conditions, including cutting speed, feed amount and cutting depth. With the cutting speed rising up, the tip temperature will increase and cause mechanical, chemical, and thermal wear. Too much feed amount will also result in rising temperature. However, in actual CNC machine operations, the service life of CNC machine is related to machined parts dimensions, noise, processing heat, and more factors, you need to choose appropriate condition based on the materials, hardness, cutting state, feed amount, cutting depth, and the actual situation. For example, coolant or a rigid blade can be used for CNC turning stainless steel parts.

2. Choose the right tool and install correctly

On the selection of machining tool, you need to consider the machine type, like cutting, turning, milling or others, nature of production, such as amounts of machined parts, size, and shape of the workpiece, machined surface roughness, machining accuracy, and materials. The materials determine the choice of the tool material and the geometry of the machining parts. For rough machining, you need to pick up tools with high strength and good durability to meet the requirements of large feed amount. For finishing, you need to select tools with high precision and durability to confirm the processing precision. 

In addition, the machine fixture and fixture clamping blade can save time and facilitate the tool setting. So, when it comes to the fixture, use common fixtures and ensure the components positioning datum is coincident to reduce the positioning error. Furthermore, for fixture installation, the connection between the hydraulic chuck and the hydraulic clamping cylinder is realized by the tie rod. To remove the chuck, firstly, remove the nut on the hydraulic cylinder by wrench, take out the pull rod from the rear end of the spindle, and then remove the chuck retaining screw, and the operation is completed. 

3. Decide the CNC lathe process route and machining allowance

The processing route refers to the movement track and direction of the tool compared to parts during the machining process of the precision CNC lathe and CNC lathe. The processing precision and surface roughness requirements should be achieved, and the processing route should be minimized to reduce the time. When the CNC lathe processing has not been used universally, it is generally necessary to arrange excessive parts on the blank, especially the margin containing the forged and cast hard skin layer on the ordinary lathe. If you must use a CNC lathe, you need to pay attention to arrange the program flexibly.

4. Learn about the safety rules before using a CNC machine

• Don't operate the machine if you do not understand the procedure completely.

• Keep your finger away from turning parts and tools in working condition.

• Don't remove the drive cover before the machine stops running.

• Don't perform abnormal CNC lathe operations

• Don't go through the CNC machine process in an explosive environment

• Remember to take off the chunk keys even though it does not work

5. Choose the right material 

If your CNC machine has been installed, what materials to be processed is also a critical problem, which makes differences in machining results. The more you can narrow down the CNC machining materials for your CNC lathe parts, the easier and better it will suit your machine and be cost-efficient. You need to consider the application, environment, stress load, tolerance, operating temperature, capacity and more features of the parts.