What's the difference between a Lathe and a milling machine

Lathe and milling machines are both tools that can be used in the workshop for working on materials such as wood, metals,plastic, etc. Now we will discuss the difference between a lathe and a milling machine.

Features:

Lathe Machine : Lathe is one of the most versatile and widely used machine tools all over the world. The main function of lathe is to remove metal from a job piece to furnish it to a required shape and size. The job is rigid1y hold by the chuck or in between centers on the lathe machine and then turn it against a single point cutting tool which wi1l remove meta1 from the job in the form of chips.

Milling Machine : A milling machine is a machine tool that removes metal as the work is fed against a rotating multi-point cutter. The milling cutter rotates at high speed and it removes metal at a very fast rate with the help of multiple cutting edges. One or more number of cutters can be mounted simultaneously on the arbor of milling machine.

Cutting tools

The main tool used on a lathe is an insert cutter, which uses a removable tip to cut and shape the outside of material spinning in the chuck jaws. This type of cutting tool is not used on a milling machine. The milling machine's most commonly used type of tool is the end mill, which is placed in the spindle and spins at various speeds depending on the type of material being cut. End mills can be used in lathes, but they are usually used only in the spindle of a milling machine.

Application:

The lathe is a master of turning, facing, drilling, cutting, sanding, deforming and knurling.Each of these processes is performed by applying a different type of tool to the workpiece as it is rotating. Lathes can be used for wood turning, metalworking and parts reclamation. The workpiece is held in place by means of at least one clamp which may be adjusted to suit varying lengths.

Milling machines are experts at drilling, boring, cutting, shaping, flattening and rounding off edges. They allow for more versatility in the choice of material.Much like the lathe, the milling machine is a jack of all trades and you can see its work in metal engravings and sculptures, gears and etc.

Here at WMT CNC, we are committed to facilitating and increasing your company’s productivity and efficiency by providing the best quality lahte and milling machines. Our team has a broad knowledge base and we are dedicated to sharing our experience with you to help you take your machine shop to the next level.