EXPERIMENT NO.

23
Object: - To study capstan lathe, tool holder and attachments.
Apparatus:- Capstan and Turret lathe.
Theory:- Both capstan and turret are sometimes called simply as Turret lathe. It differs
from an engine lathe in that, the tail stock is replaced by a hexagonal turret which can be
swieled about a ertical axis and moed longitudinally along the bed to bring the tools
into cutting positions. The regular tool post is replaced by a s!uare cross slide turret and
the cross slide may support a s!uare turret on the rear. In this way a minimum of "# tools
can be mounted at the time and this number can be increased by using multiple$loading at
each position. Turrets take their place between centre lathes and automatics with regard to
the olume production. They are essentially meant for medium batch production.
Ram type turret lathe: - In this type of turret lathe, the reoling turret is mounted on
a slide carried in a base which can be clamped in any position along the bed of the
machine. This type of lathe is somewhat lighter in construction and therefore can be
!uickly and easily operated. This lathe is called Capstan lathe.
athe s!"e: - The si%e of lathe is designated by a number that indicates that the diameter
of the work piece that can be swing oer cross and slide oer bed and the diameter of the
bar that can be passed through the hole spindle.
&or example, if the capacity of a turret lathe is designated as' #($)($"*(, then it
means that the bar diameter is #(mm, swing oer cross$slide is )(mm and swing oer bed
is "*(mm.
Appl!cat!o# o$ capsta# lathes:-
The ram or slide is lighter and can be moed more !uickly than a saddle but lacks
some rigidity. Because of conenience and speed and limited trael of turret, the ram type
construction is ideally suited for the production of parts relatiely short in length which
are turned from the bar and where the ram oerhung can be kept short. &orgings, castings
and stampings can also be machined by using +aw chucks.
%ar stoc& $ee'!#( mecha#!sm: - ,s is known, the rotating bar fed through the
hollow spindle of the lathe. The rotating bar beyond the back of the head stock of the
lathe is protected and is usually enclosed in a tube which carries the fed mechanism.
The bar feed can be- by hand pneumatically, electrically or may function
automatically upon release of the bar chuck .collets/ or by a separate control. ,s soon as
the first component is machined the mouth of the collet is opened.
The re!uired length of the bar stock is fed through the collet and then it is closed.
0lectric fed is less commonly used. , small separate motor proides the power and
control is usually by fool operated switches.

, $ 1otating sleee C $ 2eadstock 0 $ 3ulley
B $ 4pindle 5 $ 6uide Bar & $ 4tand
&ig 78."'$ Bar feed mechanism
3neumatic fluid is interconnected with the bar chuck so that depression of a pedal
opens the chuck and feeds the bar forward.
,utomatic bar feeding takes less time and the bar can be fed without stopping the
machine.
9ith larger and heaier bars, it is essential to use the feed finger- which is also
the standard e!uipment for bar feeding on automatic lathes. :pon heat treatment the +aws
of the feed finger are closed, to from the spring grip.
;early all bar feeding mechanisms are e!uipped with extended pusher or collet
tubes, enabling the end of the bar to be fed right up to the back of the chuck to minimi%e
wastage of stock.
I#'e)!#( o$ turret: - The turret of the capstan lathe being lighter, is indexed
automatically, whereas the turrets of turret lathes do not index automatically, the saddle
carrying them being heay.
*!mple !#'e)!#( mecha#!sm: - 9hen the slide or ram is retracted at the end of its
cutting trael, a without finger encounters a cam on the turret rest and the lock pin is
withdrawn from its slot. ,t the same time, a dog engages a cam and releases the turret
clamp. &urther withdrawal of the capstan slide causes the turret to rotate one sixth of a
reolution by a rotating turret had indexed one sixth of a turn. The locking pin enters the
next bush in the base if the turret and relocks the turret in its new position.
&ig 78.7'$ 0lements of capstan lathe
Ma!# parts:-
+ea' stoc&: - There are two principal types of head stocks'$
.a/ ,n electrical head in which a ariable speed motor is mounted directly in the head
stock.
.b/ The all geared head which gies a wider range of speed and allows heaier cuts to
be taken.
Turret: - <n all but ery small capstan lathes, the turret is a hexagonal block mounted on
ertical spindle.
<n small capstan lathes, the turret is circular with six holes e!ually spaced around
the circumference.
,ross sl!'e: - 1each oer or bridge type' It is supported on two bed ways. It may also
be supported by lower rail. This suites capstan lathe engaged in bar work where a large
swing across cross slide is not necessary.
This type has adantage that a rear tool post may be proided which is fre!uently
used for cut off operations.
-or& hol'!#( e.u!pme#ts:-
,ollets:-
.i/ 5raw back collet
.ii/ 3ush out collet
.iii/ 5ead length collet
/a0 chuc&:-
.i/ Two +aw chuck
.ii/ Three +aw chuck
.iii/ &our +aw chuck
1!)tures: - , special fixture may be designed and used for holding the work if
the !uantity of parts to be made is sufficient. The fixture is mounted on the
machine spindle in place of a chuck or a collet.
A'justable &#ee tool hol'er: - ,d+ustable knee tool holder is used for turning
combined with drilling, boring or centering on short pieces. The turning tool is
carried in an oerhead arm, where as the drill or boring bar is secured in a central
bore that is concentric with the turret bore.
Attachme#ts use': - ,ttachments used improes lathes usefulness and range of work.
.a/ %ar stops: - 9hen the work is produced from a bar fed through the spindle a
stop is held in the turret and the bar is brought forward to a fixed position to
locate the bar and against the bar stop. This ensures that the amount of stock
pro+ecting from the spindle is constant for eery component and if all the tools are
fed with reference stops. They will produce uniform component.
.b/ Roller bar tur#!#( attachme#ts: - these are used for turning any appreciable
length on the bar. It consists of cutters and a work support .two ad+ustable rollers/,
all combined as an integral unit. The main adantage of using this tool is that een
for large reductions in diameter, a well finished surface within close limits of
accuracy can be achieed.
.c/ 2#ee tur#!#( tool: - This is used on turret for combined boring and turning
operation and for large diameter work piece.
.d/ ,omb!#e' bor!#( tur#!#( a#' $ac!#( tools attachme#ts: - It is larger
unit than knee tool. ;ormally four tools can be mounted one for boring, one for
facing and the reaming, two for turning which can be set to the work one after the
other or simultaneously on different diameter.
.e/ Tool!#( bar 'r!ll!#(3 ream!#( a#' bor!#(: - 5rill chuck is attached to and
operated from the turret. 4tart drilling tool is used. 1eamer is generally mounted
in a special floating adaptor. Boring is performed using boring bars employing
single or multiple tools.
.f/ 1ac!#( a#' recess!#( tool sl!'e: - 9hen facing from turret, a straight edge
tool, with its edge set up perpendicular to the axis and held in knee tool holder is
used. 1ecessing is done by recessing tool slide. ,n operating handle actuates the
slide by means of rack and pinion, and stops are proided to control the diameter
of the recess.
.g/ Roller reset taper attachme#t: - :sed for taper turning operation on lathe.
Consists of taper guide bar mounted oer the work in same direction as pilot bar.
The tool holder resembles the bar turner and can be ad+usted using graduated dial.
.h/ *cre0 cutt!#( sel$ op!#!#( '!e hea's: - 9hen a re!uired length of the +ob is
to be threaded, this attachment is used. 9hen the +ob has been threaded, the
feeding of turret head is stopped and the die opens instantaneously to clear the
thread portion of the +ob while returning back with turret head. Commercially
aailable in arious types and si%es.
.i/ ,ollaps!#( tap: - It is used for internal threads. It=s most important feature is
that blades are caused to collapse into the body of tap, when threading is
completed.