Processing Machinery Uses2

Processing Machinery Uses

Processing machinery that turns a block of wood on an axis is called a wood lathe. A lathe machine is used to create wooden objects that are decorative or functional. The block of wood turns on an axis and cutting tools are used to carve it and shape it into decorative designs. A wood turner is the worker responsible for running the lathe. Wood turners create two different types of products, artistic items and functional items.

Processing machinery are responsible for making furniture parts such as table legs, finials, spindles, and stretchers. Decorative serving dishes such as serving trays, platters and bowls can also be made with a lathe machine specially designed for that type of work. A mini lathe is used to manufacture pens, key rings, mechanical pencils along with many other small items. Miscellaneous decorative products such as pepper mills, chess pieces, candlesticks, baseball bats, pool cues and tool handles can also be made with a wood lathe.

Handcrafted wood products have always been in high demand. That has not changed, even with the invention of processing machinery and the motorized lathe. The furniture industry will always require handcrafted pieces. Adding a motor to the lathe has allowed manufacturers to continue to produce high quality items in much shorter periods of time. When the computer was added to the lathe machine, mass production became much more cost effective as the automation made it unnecessary to have an operator attending to the machine the entire time it was running.

Most processing machinery is capable of turning the wood in two different ways: faceplate turning and spindle turning. Face plate turning is good for creating dishes, platters, and bowls. Items that require cutting or tooling along their length, such as ball bats, table legs, and stairway spindles, are crafted using spindle turning. The method is determined by the direction of the grain in the wood. The wood must be cut in such a way that the fiber does not tear and separate. If it does, it will have a very rough and unattractive finish. This would significantly decrease the value of the product.