A spinning lathe is a type of lathe machine that is adapted specifically for the metal spinning process. It's a fundamental piece of equipment used to form flat metal discs or pre-spun shapes into hollow, axisymmetric components.
This specialized lathe provides the necessary support and control to plastically deform sheet metal over a rotating form (mandrel) using specialized tools like rollers or blunt tools.
Key Components of a Metal Spinning Lathe
According to the provided reference, a spinning lathe is composed of several essential parts working together. Understanding these components helps explain how the metal spinning process is achieved.
Here are the main components:
- Headstock: Contains the spindle and the drive mechanism, rotating the workpiece at high speeds.
- Spindle: The rotating shaft in the headstock onto which the mandrel and workpiece are mounted.
- Tailstock: Provides support to the end of the mandrel or workpiece, often using a follower block.
- Follower: A component, typically part of the tailstock, that applies pressure to hold the workpiece blank firmly against the mandrel.
- Mandrel: A rigid form or pattern that dictates the final internal shape of the spun part. The metal workpiece is formed over this mandrel.
- Roller: A primary tool used in metal spinning to apply pressure to the rotating workpiece, gradually forcing it against the mandrel. Other blunt hand tools can also be used.
Here's a simple representation of some components:
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Headstock | Rotates the workpiece and mandrel |
| Mandrel | Provides the desired internal shape of the part |
| Roller | Deforms the metal against the mandrel |
| Tailstock | Supports the mandrel/workpiece assembly |
| Follower | Applies holding pressure on the workpiece |
The Process: Metal Spinning on a Lathe
Conventional metal spinning involves mounting a flat metal disc blank securely against the front of a mandrel, often using the tailstock and follower block. The headstock rotates the spindle, causing the mandrel and workpiece to spin at high speed.
A roller or forming tool is then progressively applied to the spinning metal, starting from the center and moving towards the edge. This pressure causes the metal to flow and conform to the shape of the mandrel.
A key characteristic of conventional metal spinning, as noted in the reference, is that the process increases the depth of the workpiece while maintaining its material thickness constant. This allows for the creation of deep, hollow shapes from flat sheets without significant thinning of the metal.
Examples of products often made using metal spinning on a spinning lathe include:
- Lamp shades
- Kitchenware (bowls, pots)
- Components for aerospace and automotive industries
- Musical instrument parts
- Ventilation and HVAC components
The spinning lathe is thus a crucial machine tool for manufacturing a wide range of symmetrical, hollow metal components through plastic deformation.
