Tips on how to Improve Turning Operations

There are risk when it comes to operating lathe machines like cuts that comes from long, stringy chips. Bar feeder-induces noise and vibration that leads to premature hearing loss and problems in surface finish. With the advent of multi-tasking machines, lathe operators must learn about milling.

But not to worry, we have just the right tips that will help you operate your machine that will improve output and reduce cost.

Cooling System

It is proven that high pressure coolants helps with the extension of tool life and dramatically boost productivity. HPC or high pressure coolants are extremely effective at removing heat from the cutting zone. The result is that cutting parameters will increase to generate sufficient heat for the metal-removal process to function properly.

Keep the machine clean

Proper machine tool maintenance should be the priority of every shop and yet, some often neglect this process that results into disastrous problems. Regular inspection should be done by the machinist. Check for signs of wear and deformation. Look for dimples and cracks in the shim, ensure the clamp, screw, pin are securely holding the insert. Remove any metal fines that might be lodged in the seating areas, apply small amounts of grease to the moving parts, smooth small deformations and dents with a file and lastly, don’t be afraid to recycle a tool body when it becomes unacceptable to use.

Proper Documentation

Still working with paper and writing down on tool setup sheets? You might want to consider upgrading that to something digital. Every shop can afford work PC stations or tablets across the floor, if not placing each at one machine. This documentation should keep in track events and employees should be encouraged to use them.

 Continuous Training

The competition comes and increased need for learning. In some cases, manufacturers have responded by eliminating their process-engineering functions and relying on the shop floor to do the planning, programing and tool-selection and other process development activities once done in the front office.

Lathe-operators bear a heavy burden and need all the tools, techniques and even advice available to them. Operators also must undergo training. Most cutting tool manufacturers and machine distributors offer online, in-house and on premise educational programs for operators. A shop must realize that to reach the full-potential of their lathe operator, management should budget for training and most importantly re-training should be done once in a while.