CNC vertical lathes and horizontal lathes are two common types of lathes currently on the market. Their differences mainly lie in the structure and working method of the lathe.
1. CNC vertical lathe
A CNC vertical lathe works similarly to a milling machine, in that the workpiece is machined in the vertical direction. It consists of a machine body, a workbench, a spindle, a feed system and a control system. Its main feature is that the worktable moves along the Z-axis direction, and the workpiece is processed in an upright state, so it is suitable for processing long and narrow workpieces, such as hinges, gears, etc. In addition, CNC vertical lathes can also complete tasks such as turning, boring, drilling and cutting, and can be applied to a variety of processing techniques.
2. Horizontal lathe
Horizontal lathes are also called plane lathes. The difference from CNC vertical lathes is that the worktable moves along the X-axis. It mainly consists of a base, a workbench, a spindle, a feed system and a control system. Horizontal lathes are usually used to process larger workpieces. Since its workbench is horizontal, the length of the workpiece can be longer than that of a CNC vertical lathe. Horizontal lathes are typically used to process large workpieces such as castings and forgings, and can also handle long, thin workpieces. Because horizontal lathes typically run at lower speeds and higher torque, they are particularly useful for machining difficult materials.
3. Differences and comparisons
CNC vertical lathes and horizontal lathes are common types of machine tools, and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. CNC vertical lathe is suitable for processing slender workpieces. It has a compact structure and high processing efficiency. The horizontal lathe is suitable for processing larger workpieces. Because its workbench is wider, it can fix larger workpieces and complete more processing tasks.
Overall, CNC vertical and horizontal lathes are suitable for different types of machining tasks, and which machine you choose depends on your needs. Whether you choose a CNC vertical lathe or a horizontal lathe, you need to consider factors such as the machine tool's technical indicators, processing range, processing accuracy, service life, and ease of operation. Only by choosing the right type of machine tool can the performance of the machine tool be better utilized in processing.