Note that web-based summaries of standard operating procedures are not
exhaustive. Not all of the relevant safety information is included in this document. Further training is required for safe operation and will be provided in person. |
The lathe in P160 is used for making sample capsules, machining ceramics and preparing other components for piston cylinder experiments. The larger lathe belonging to the Kohlstedt group is used for more precise work.
Training is provided by ACW.
ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION. Don't use the lathe when nobody else is around to help you if you have an accident.
Work must be held securely so that there is no risk of anything flying out of the chuck when the lathe is turned on. NEVER LEAVE A KEY IN THE CHUCK. It's a good idea to visualise what is going to happen when the headstock starts to rotate. You may even get into the habit of rotating the headstock by hand before you turn it on, just to be sure that nothing is going to collide with the bed. This is especially important when you're using a chuck. The lathe is most dangerous when the jaws of the chuck project outside of the outer surface, and when using automated feed. Be aware that some people leave the rotation direction in the reverse position. This is a bad habit: if you try to perform normal turning, facing and boring operations without noticing that the lathe is running in reverse you will break the tooling, your sample and perhaps yourself! To use the lathe effectively, you need to understand the principles of speed and feed. Different materials are machined with different surface speeds, tool types, cutting depths and coolants. If you chip the cutting edge of an indexable lathe tool, ROTATE OR REPLACE THE INSERT. Learn how to centre a tool and check the rake.
After use, clean the lathe. Be careful, swarf may be very sharp. Use way oil on the ways. Return collets and drill bits to the correct hole in the appropriate rack. Don't fill empty holes with the wrong size - it's better to leave them empty so that the correct tool can be obtained. Be especially careful with the thin carbide cutoff tools - crashing them into the work from the side will surely break them.
ACW 2005
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