Turning & Fittings

Introduction to Lathe Machines and Safety

Meet the lathe and how to work it safely. This module covers the essential features and working principle of the lathe, its elements such as the headstock and tailstock, and the workshop safety precautions and tool handling you will apply while producing your first simple workpiece.

Work Holding and Turning Operations

Hold the work and turn it to size. You will learn the four basic work-holding methods, use chucks and collets, select cutting tools, and perform turning operations to specification — including facing, taper turning, boring and recessing from orthographic drawings.

Screw Cutting and Tool Grinding

Cut threads and shape your own tools. This module covers calculating speeds and gear trains for screw cutting, threading by different methods and on turret and capstan lathes, and grinding cutting tools on the lathe with the correct angles and safety.

Materials, Measuring Tools, and Maintenance

Choose materials, measure precisely and maintain the machine. You will select principal engineering materials and understand their properties, use and maintain vernier callipers and micrometers, and carry out preventive lathe maintenance such as lubrication and alignment checks.

Practical Applications and Assessment

Turn complex, precise components. This module has you perform advanced multi-feature turning, use work-holding devices and cutting tools effectively, and complete a capstone such as a threaded component to precise tolerances.

Final Examination

Resources & Further Reading

Assignments