Turning is performed on a lathe, using the rotational motion of the workpiece and the linear or curvilinear motion of the tool to alter the raw material into a shape that meets the design specifications. It is suitable for machining rotational surfaces such as internal and external cylindrical surfaces, conical surfaces, end faces, grooves, threads, and formative rotational surfaces. Lathes make up about 50% of all metal cutting machine tools and can perform operations like drilling, reaming, tapping, and knurling. Based on their layout and structural characteristics, lathes can be categorized into horizontal, vertical, floor, turret, and copying lathes, with most being horizontal.
