Do you know the real difference between a Lathe and a Milling Machine?

For every metalworking operation you inexplicably need a lathe. A milling machine is used to create finished material parts using drills and end mills, which are cylindrical in shape. Lathes create the cylindrical objects using diameter cutting tools, whereas milling machines shape up the same products by spinning and cutting it, while it’s kept fixed with a vise or fixture.

There are varieties of milling machines, as per the requirement of a specific industry. Metalworking is a wide sector and so the types of milling machines, such as CNC Milling machines, Horizontal Milling machines and Vertical Milling machines.

A lathe uses an insert cutter to cut the metal by spinning it in a chuck jaw, whereas a machine mill uses an end mill placed inside a spindle, it revolves at different speeds as per the type of material being cut with it. A milling machine cuts non-cylindrical metals requiring angled cuts; where you need and off-centre hole or straight cuts, but a lathe is perfect for holding a cylindrical object and drilling it in the centre only.

Installing a lathe is easier than a milling machine, as it needs to place both the chuck jaws at an exact distance from the centre, to avoid errors in cutting. For a milling machine, you have to measure the fixture or vise to align them perfectly straight, by adjusting the retention bolts, to make sure it meets the exact requirements.

I guess the above information has made a small impact on the knowledge you had on milling machines. For more details on the manufacturers and suppliers of milling machines, do visit us at in.kompass.com.