In the modern industrial workplace front-facing
lathes are mostly used for solids of revolution (SOR), referring to objects with non linear shapes and offer rapid, highly precise results. They are often used for processing industrial components such as cylinder machines, pipes or equipment for the oil services and networks, and are also available as larger machines with a bigger plate size diameter. Manufacturers can also easily integrate other features and attachments into these machines, which makes a wide variety of functions possible. Drilling, reaming, grinding are all well within the capabilities of facing lathes, thus reducing the need for different kinds of specialist equipment and providing a significant cost saving solution. Double spindle facing lathes significantly shorten the processing time usually taken for large items, and allow up to three tools to work independently on a workpiece. This version usually operates on a hydrostatic slide bearing and is most often used for the creation of large engine components and power plant construction. Manually operated
lathe machines are still widely used within many industries, but many modern machines now operate as
CNC lathes. This offers manufacturers two key benefits - increased accuracy and prevention of injury.
These large and powerful machines are generally used for the processing of metal workpieces with a large diameter. For example, turbines, electric motors, generators, large casts and forged parts are just a few items that can be effectively machined with the help of a facing lathe. Certain lathes can even process materials that weigh up to several tonnes, such as vertical lathes, which are crucial in the production of ship propellers.