LUBRICATION SYSTEM OF LATHE AND MILLING MACHINE Lathe Machine Lubrication A lathe machine is a machine tool that performs

turning operations in which unwanted material is removed from a work piece rotated against a cutting tool. An engine lathe is a horizontally shaped piece of machinery that is most often used to turn metal manually. By turning the metal and using special cutting tools, the engine lathe is capable of forming the metal into specific shapes. As its name implies, the engine lathe is often used to create metal pieces for use in an engine, whether it be for an automobile, a tractor, a boat, or any other motorized vehicle or machine. Although people use the engine lathe primarily for spinning sheet metals, it is also used for drilling, making square blocks, and creating shafts. Candle cup dies, forge burner nozzles, foundry pattern core boxes, and prints are other products an engine lathe can produce. Most modern tools were made with the help of an engine lathe. In addition, those who own an engine lathe can make their own tools with the machine. For these reasons, the engine lathe is often referred as a reproductive machine. The features of an engine lathe include gears, a carriage, a tailstock, and a stepped pulley used for various spindle speeds. The gears in the engine lathe are used to power the carriage. In turn, the carriage bolsters the cutting tools. The tailstock is used to support the hole-drilling process that takes place in the spindle. Proper lubrication of machine tools is the responsibility of the operator. In order to ensure that the machine runs properly and maintains its accuracy, regular lubrication is required. Before operating the lathe, make sure that all lubricants are at their proper levels. Being that all lathes are different, it is impossible to cover the lubrication schedule for all of the types of lathes found in the machine shop. Use the charts found below as a guide for the proper lubrication points found on most types of lathes. Use the chart to find similar lubrication points and the types of lubrication needed for the machines in our shop. If you find that the machine that you are using is drastically different from the machine found in the illustration, ask an instructor for the lubrication schedule for your particular machine. Headstock

Spindle bearings, headstock gearing, and shafts are lubricated continuously from a distributor tank located beneath the headstock top cover. The oil is supplied either by a pump or an oil slinger found in the headstock. Evidence of supply is shown in an oil sight glass located on the headstock front face. Ensure that the oil level in the system is kept topped off. On lathes with an oil pump, oil is usually added through a filler tube in the oil tank located behind the headstock end guard cover. On lathes with an oil slinger, oil is usually added through a filler plug on the headstock cover. Some types of lathes are equipped with both a reservoir sight glass and an oil flow sight glass. The reservoir sight glass is located on the lower half of the headstock while the flow sight glass is located near the top of the headstock. Gearbox Gears in the gearbox are splash lubricated from an oil tank that is part of the gearbox. An oil sight window is typically situated on the front or side face of the gearbox. To top off or fill the gearbox, find the filler elbow behind the headstock end cover.

Apron The apron gears are splash lubricated from an oil tank that is part of the apron. On new style lathes, the apron oil tank is also the reservoir for the manually operated pump that lubricates the bedways, cross slide ways, and nut. When the oil level falls below the level on the site glass on the apron the system can be filled through the filler plug found on the saddle. Generic Lubrication Chart (Lathe Machine)

Milling Machine Lubrication Maintaining your milling machine is one of the keys to prolonging its life as well as maintaining good finishes. The proper and continuous vigilance of the oiling process can help you maintain a working machine for decades that is capable of keeping tight tolerances as well as adequate finishes. Although oiling the machine can take up a bit of time, the cost savings are will pay off in the long run as it is very expensive to fix a milling machine due to a lack of preventative maintenance. 1. Locate the centralized lubrication plunger found on the left side of the milling machine; it is bolted to the main milling machine body. Check to see if the reservoir is filled and top off with Vactra oil #2 if necessary. Push the plunger in once to lubricate the main table area of the machine. The oil will be distributed through a tubing system to make sure that the table moves smoothly while you are machining.

2. Lubricate the quill feed by adding oil to the reservoir located above the quill itself -- to the right, on the spindle head. The quill feed head needs to have smooth movement, so top off whenever necessary. The quill feed handle controls the up and down motion of the tool, so maintaining lubrication is essential to smooth drilling and boring when using these types of machine tools.

3. Lubricate the quill bearings to prevent the quill from freezing up. The bearings are in control of the quill rotation as well as the automatic quill feed movement. Lubricating the bearings will prevent the quill from sticking or freezing altogether. Lubricate this area twice a day by topping off the oil in the reservoir, which is located on the automatic quill feed engagement knob. Engaging this knob automates the quill feed process.

4. Add lubrication to the mechanical feed control, which is located on the right side of the table. There is a small reservoir on the right side of the control that has a small door. Lift the door and add a couple drops of Vactra #2 oil. This will assure that the table moves smoothly while being controlled by the mechanical feed. This box can move the table at variable speeds along the X axis for milling operations, and can be used to move the table quickly for other operations, thereby relieving you from having to use the manual movement handle.

5. Lubricate the pulley cam by adding oil to the oil hole located on the top of the spindle head, to the right of the spindle lock handle. This ensures the smooth spinning of the belt for the spindle motor. Lubricating this area will help keep the motor running smoothly as the cam itself receives the oil on its bearings. If this is not done, you may not get smooth revolutions thereby resulting in bad finishes and, eventually, the milling machine may freeze up. This area only needs lubrication twice a week. Five drops of oil is sufficient at these intervals.