A CNC Lathe is a computer numerical controlled lathe. This version is controlled by a computer with the goal of attaining either highly accurate and/or highly reproducible measurements on a part construction.
A computer feeds data into various controllers (likely step motor controllers) which control the speed of the part being turned, the location of the cutting head, orientation of the cutting head, and the speed of the cutting head. Depending on the unit, there can be many different axis controls.
It is used for turning round shapes from various materials, especially plastics, metals, and woods. The main parts are the spindle, the cross slide, the tailstock, the controller, and the frame. It functions by rotationg the workpiece that is fixed ridgedly to the spindle. A tool that is fixed on a movable portion of the lathe (cross slide) is then driven into the workpiece until the sharp edge of the tool removes workpiece material concentrically (or normally) to the axis of rotation of the spindle.
