Centre-lathe controls

The various controls of a typical centre lathe are shown in Fig. 9.7. 

Before starting the machine, ensure that the feed-engage lever (20) and the thread-cutting lever (17) are in the disengaged position. 

Select the feed axis required, Le. longitudinal travel of carriage or cross-slide, by means of the apron push-pull knob (19). 

Select the direction of feed by means of selector handle (7). 

Select the feed rate required by referring to the charts on the head-stock and selecting the appropriate position of selector dial (3) and handles (4), (5) and (6). 

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The top has a 5 mm wide slot along its centre, through which the heat passes. Fig. 14.5. When the material is pliable, it can be located in a former and bent to the required angle, e.g. in making a splash guard for a lathe, Fig. 14.6. The material can be removed from the former when the temperature drops to about 60 °C. Formers can be simply made from any convenient material such as wood. For volume production large-scale industrial machines are available which can have multiple bending areas and advanced heat control. 

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