A vertical turning lathe is a standalone lathe that has both a top and bottom. The main benefit to this design is the ability to use the top for making straight or curved grain, while the bottom can be used for crosscutting. There are primarily two kinds of VTL machines, namely, the single-side and double-side (vertical) turning lathes. The former is designed to produce short grain; whereas, the latter is meant for crosscutting purposes. Because the top of the Vertical Turning Lathe can also be used as a turning tool, it is termed a turning machine. A Vertical Turning Lathe consists of two spinning bars, which are attached by a spindle assembly.
Applications of Vertical Turning Lathe
Most vertical turning lathes are designed to be mounted on a stand or workbench; however, some may be handheld. This design allows for easy mobility, even when coupled with the use of a table or similar device. Most vertical turning lathes have a variety of capabilities. The main advantage they have over a conventional milling machine is their ability to perform intricate milling operations such as crosscutting, rocking, perching, and siding.
Advantages Related to Vertical Turning Lathe
An additional advantage of the vertical turning lathe is the fact that it can operate in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion, which eliminates the need for mechanical tools to be run into the lathe to start the operation. The fact that the spindle moves in a vertical position relative to the other bar does away with the need for a pendulum. The use of VTL allows greater control over the machining operation than with other machining methods. This is particularly evident when making intricate angled cuts, or when large amounts of material are to be moved from one side of the lathe to another.
In Conclusion of Using Vertical Turning Lathe
The cost of operation and maintenance is higher with a vertical turning lathe due to the higher number of moving parts. Furthermore, the presence of a cutting wheel in the spindle assembly can also help in reducing the wear and tear on the other moving parts of the machine. This means that you will not need to make frequent repairs to your machine, which will save you money in the long run.
One drawback of the vertical turning centres is that they are not as portable as horizontal mounted CNC turning lathes. However, if you need to work on larger projects frequently, then it may be a better option.