WORK HOLDING DEVICES IN LATHE

By N.PRADEEP RAJ (12LM17)

CHUCKS
A chuck is a work holding device used for holding work over a lathe machine. A chuck is also employed when a non-axis symmetrical object is to be mounted over the lathe. Chucks are fixed directly to the spindle of the lathe by means of screws and a back plate.

TYPES OF CHUCKS
Four jaw chuck or independent chuck Three jaw chuck or self-centering chuck Air or hydraulic operated chuck Magnetic chuck Collet chuck Combination chuck Drill chuck

FOUR JAWS OR INDEPENDENT CHUCK

As the name indicates this chuck has four jaws for holding the work each jaw is independent to move. Advantages

Any type of work piece can be held easily High grip is possible as four jaws are employed
Disadvantages Centering is a little difficult process Semi skilled labor are required

THREE JAW CHUCK OR SELF CENTERING

In Three jaws for holding the work piece, and if one jaw is moved then all the other jaws also move by same distance. This mechanism is obtained by engaging pinions which meshes with the teeth cut on the under surface of the chuck. This chuck is also called UNIVERSAL CHUCK

ADVANTAGES Centering process is not necessary as all the jaws moves at a time
Consumes less time for mounting and un mounting the work piece.

DISADVANTAGES
Grip is not so high as only three jobs are employed All type of jobs cannot be mounted on these chucks, as they are useful in machining only axis symmetrical objects

COMBINATION CHUCK
As the name indicates it is a combination of both three-jaw chuck and four-jaw chuck. It acts as both self-centering and independent chuck. This is obtained by engaging a scroll disc at the backside of jaws.

MAGNETIC CHUCK
In this chuck magnetic force is used for holding the work piece.

ADVANTAGES Work pieces in which damage due to the jaws of chucks is not tolerated can be effectively machined by using this chuck If the work to be held is of very small size and cannot be hold by the above three chucks then this chuck can be used DISADVANTAGES All type of jobs cannot be held Size of the job affects the efficiency of the holding All type of materials cannot be held as it works on magnetic property only magnetic materials can be held.

AIR OR HYDRALIC OPERATED CHUCK

This is also called as pneumatic chuck as it is being operated by hydraulic or air energy. This chuck holds the work piece due to the pressure generated in the cylinder.

COLLET CHUCK
This type of chuck is used when the work to be held is very long in size.

COLLET CHUCK

Drill chuck
This chuck is used for holding the tool in the drilling machines. This also plays a role in holding taper shanks on a lathe for easy machining of the job on which holes are to be drilled.

Rests
Rest is a work holding device, which is used to hold the work piece when the work piece of very long length are to be held. In general when a long piece is to be held it may have directly held then there arises deflection in the work piece due its own weight. So to prevent the deflection in the work piece rests of various types are used. Some of the rests being used are 1) Steady rest 2) Follower rest