Sub Code: BME 18002

Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1

Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

Before understanding the Capstan and Turret lathe let us first understand what is a lathe and how it

is different from the capstan and turret lathe.

A lathe is a machine used to do various operations such as drilling, reaming, boring, knurling, thread

cutting, facing, step turning, tapping etc. on the work piece to make it value-added product. In

classical lathe machines such as in center lathe, there is only one tool post and only one tool fitted in

the tailstock, which usually takes time while changing tools for different operations.

There are certain difficulties that cannot be overcome by center lathes such as the large time

involvement while setting and movement of the tool between the machining processes, unsuitable for

mass production, less number of speeds, one tool fixation in the tailstock, etc. Thus the center lathe

is modified to turret and capstan lathe to overcome all these difficulties.

Page 1 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

LATHE – SKETCH

Page 2 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

CAPSTAN LATHE – SKETCH MAIN PARTS

 Headstock
 Bed
 Feed box
 Carriage
 Tool post
 Hexagonal
turret
 Saddle for ram
 Lead screw
 Ram

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 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

What is Capstan Lathe?

 The turret of the capstan lathe machine is mounted on a slide or ram which can be moved

longitudinally on the saddle for feeding the tools.

 The saddle itself is mounted on the bed.

 The turret is generally hexagonal but may also be square or round.

 This type of machine is lighter in construction and is suitable for machining bars of up to 60 mm

in diameter

 More than one tool may be mounted on the same face on the turret making it possible to machine

more than one surface at the same time

Page 4 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

 CAPSTAN LATHE – PHOTO

Page 5 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

TURRET LATHE – SKETCH MAIN PARTS

 Headstock
 Bed
 Feed box
 Tool post
 Carriage
 Lead screw
 Feed rod
 Hexagonal
turret
 Saddle

Page 6 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

What is Turret Lathe?

 The tool turret is mounted directly on the saddle and the feed is given by moving the entire unit.

 The turret lathe can thus operate under more serve conditions accommodating heavier work pieces

with higher cutting speeds, feeds, and depth of cut.

 Turret lathes are capable of turning bars up to 200 mm diameter using collets as well as handling

irregular jobs like castings and forgings with chucks.

 Some turret types lathes are equipped with crosswise movement of the hexagonal tool turret by

hand or power.

 Turret machines provided with the so-called side hung type of carriage do not require any support

from the rear slide of the bed.

Page 7 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

TURRET LATHE – PHOTO

Page 8 of 10
 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

Difference between Capstan and Turret Lathe -

The Key Difference between Capstan and Turret Lathe is
Capstan Lathe is a light-duty machine
Turret Lathe is a heavy-duty machine

Capstan Lathe Turret Lathe

It is a light-duty machine It is a heavy-duty machine

The turret head is mounted on the ram and the The turret head is directly mounted on the saddle and
ram is mounted on the saddle the saddle slides over the bed ways

The saddle will not be moved during machining The saddle will not be moved during machining

The lengthwise movement of the turret is less The lengthwise movement of the turret is more

Short work pieces only can be machined Long work pieces can be machined.

It is easy to move the turret head as it slides over It is difficult to move the turret head along with the
the ram saddle

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 Sub Code: BME 18002
Sub Name: Manufacturing Technology-1
Degree: B-Tech
Branch: Mechanical Engineering (PT)

Capstan Lathe Turret Lathe

The turret head cannot be moved crosswise The turret head cannot be moved crosswise

As the construction of lathe is not rigid, a heavy As the construction of lathe is rigid, a heavy cut can
cut cannot be given be given

It is used for machining work pieces up to 60mm It is used for machining work pieces up to 200mm
diameter. diameter

Collet is used to holding the work piece. Jaw chuck is used to hold the work piece.

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