Manual Lathe
Check workholding and material support before starting; keep clear of the rotating work and stop for hazardous chip strings.
Manual lathe: Category 3 in the Metals lab
Manual lathe: Category 3 in the Metals lab
A lathe rotates the workpiece against a cutting tool. See Lathe Operations for chucks, work support and turning operations.
Category 3 in the Metals lab. Follow Equipment Categories and Supervision for permission and supervision.
Complete Equipment Operating Procedure and Personal Protective Equipment before this machine-specific check. The general entanglement and stopping rules are in Machine Hazards and Housekeeping. In our labs, nothing that can get caught by the lathe comes near it: no long, untied hair, long sleeves, gloves or rings (see Personal Protective Equipment).
Check the setup and the material extending through the spindle; Checklist
Check the setup and the material extending through the spindle
In our labs, check the setup before starting the lathe.
- Check that the chuck or other workholding grips the part securely and that the cutting tool is secured.
- The chuck key never leaves your hand. It is not released until it is out of the chuck (see the chuck-key rule).
- Check the support for long material, including material extending through the back of the spindle. In our labs, never run long, unsupported material through the spindle.
- Check the planned movement of the tool and carriage against the chuck, workpiece and supports.
- Locate the emergency stop and foot brake, and confirm how to operate them before starting.
A long unsupported bar can whip as it rotates. Support at the cutting end does not establish that the part behind the spindle is safe.
The whole workpiece rotates; chip strings can catch and cut
The whole workpiece rotates; chip strings can catch and cut
The chuck, workpiece and any material projecting from the spindle are rotating hazards. Apply the entanglement rules to the entire setup, including its back side.
In our labs, stop and clear long chip strings when they become a hazard. Never pull a chip string by hand. Use Metal Chips and Swarf for removal and cleanup. If long strings keep forming, have the instructor review the cutting setup before continuing.
If the work shifts or the setup behaves unexpectedly, stop safely
If the work shifts or the setup behaves unexpectedly, stop safely
Do not try to steady rotating work or catch a loose part. Use the stopping controls you were shown if you can reach them safely, keep clear, and notify the instructor. Use Lab Conduct and Emergencies for an injury or emergency.
Finish with the shutdown procedure and chip cleanup. A stopped spindle is required before measuring or changing the setup; maintenance requires the isolation procedure in Machine Hazards and Housekeeping.