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Ultrasonic Technique for Turret Lathes

A turret lathe is an engine lathe that holds a work piece in place with a collet or chuck as it rotates. It has a multisided, indexing tool holder, called a turret, instead of a standard tailstock center. This design adds to the machine's versatility by allowing a variety of cutting tools and machining techniques to work on the piece at it rotates. Ultrasonic machining is one of several modern machining techniques.

Ultrasonic Machining
- With ultrasonic machining, a vibrating tool drives an abrasive grit, suspended in a liquid, against a work piece that rotates on a turret lathe. The tool does not directly contact the piece and the shape of the tool determines the shape of the cut or groove it makes. Ultrasonic machining typically requires progressively finer abrasive grits to obtain dimensional accuracy and surface finish.
Electric-Discharge Machining
- Electric-discharge machining uses repeated electric sparks to remove conductive materials. It forms various shaped holes in materials that otherwise have poor machinability. This technique uses electrical energy to melt or vaporize areas of a work piece. Sparks discharge through a space between the tool and the work piece via a circulating dielectric hydrocarbon oil, which also serves as a coolant. This technique was originally developed to remove broken taps and drill bits from holes.
Abrasive Machining
- A microabrasive jet machining technique allows for shallow cuts on small ceramic materials. This technique is frequently used for through-holes in medical equipment that allow air and chemicals to flow. Unlike the vertical sidewalls produced by ultrasonic machining, abrasive machining produces tapered sidewalls within the cut line, groove or hole. High pattern densities are possible with this method.
Electron Beam Machining
- With electron beam machining, electrons accelerate to nearly three-fourths the speed of light. This technique is performed in a vacuum chamber to reduce the emissions of electrons into the atmosphere. Magnets deflect the stream of electrons, focusing them with an electromagnetic lens. On impact, the electron stream produces thermal energy that melts and vaporizes the material, forming cuts or holes.
Water-Jet Machining
- A water-jet tool, used in conjunction with a turret lathe, is capable of slicing into metal with a jet of water at high velocity and pressure. This method is common in the fabrication of parts for machinery. Industries such as mining and aerospace find applications with this method useful for cutting, shaping, carving and reaming.

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