Do lathes need to be equipped with air compressors

Not all lathes need to be equipped with air compressors, depending on the type of lathe, processing requirements and degree of automation.. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. types and scenarios of lathes that need to be equipped with air compressor

1. CNC Lathe (CNC)
   • automation requirements if the CNC lathe needs to realize automatic processing (such as automatic tool change and automatic workpiece clamping), it usually needs to be equipped with an air compressor. Pneumatic clamps, pneumatic chucks and other devices rely on compressed air drive, can significantly improve the processing efficiency and accuracy.
   • Case: An auto parts processing factory uses a CNC lathe to mass produce shaft parts, and drives the pneumatic chuck through an air compressor to achieve rapid clamping, and the single-piece processing time is shortened by 30%.
2. Turning center or compound machine
   • multi-process integration: The turning center integrates turning, milling, drilling and other functions. Air compressor is required to support pneumatic turret, spindle loosening and other actions to ensure seamless switching of multiple processes.
   • Case an aviation parts processing enterprise uses a turning center to process complex structural parts. The air compressor provides a stable air source to ensure the accuracy of tool change of the turret. The qualified rate of products is increased to 99.5.
3. High precision or special machining needs
   • pneumatic auxiliary device for example, pneumatic measuring instruments, pneumatic nozzles, etc., air compressors are required to provide clean and stable compressed air to ensure measurement accuracy or cooling effect.
   • Case A precision optical component processing factory uses a pneumatic measuring instrument to detect the size of the parts, and the compressed air filtered by the air compressor controls the measurement error within ± 0.001mm.

2. types and scenarios of lathes without air compressor

1. ordinary lathe (manual or semi-automatic)
   • traditional mode of operation: Ordinary lathes rely on manual operation (such as chuck wrench, tailstock handwheel), no pneumatic device, so no air compressor.
   • Case: A small mechanical processing plant uses an ordinary lathe to process simple shaft parts, only manual clamping is required, and no additional air source is required.
2. Low degree of automation CNC lathe
   • basic function configuration: Some economical CNC lathes are not equipped with pneumatic devices, and only drive the spindle and feed system through a motor without an air compressor.
   • Case: A teaching and training workshop uses a low-profile CNC lathe to train students, only the basic cutting function is required, and no pneumatic assistance is required.

Suggestions on Selection and Configuration of 3. Air Compressor

1. parameter Matching
   • exhaust volume: According to the total air consumption of lathe pneumatic device (such as cylinder volume, action frequency) to select the air compressor displacement, usually need to reserve 10%-20% margin.
   • Exhaust pressure the working pressure of pneumatic device is generally 0.5-0.8MPa, and the rated pressure of air compressor should be higher than this value (such as 0.8-1.0MPa).
   • Case: An enterprise selects a screw air compressor for a numerical control lathe with a displacement of 2.2m & sup3;/min, exhaust pressure of 0.8MPa, meeting the simultaneous operation requirements of 3 lathes.
2. Quality requirements
   • compressed air quality if it is used for pneumatic measurement or precision processing, it is necessary to configure post-processing equipment such as filters and dryers to ensure that the oil content of compressed air is ≤ 0.01 mg/m & sup3;, dew point ≤-20 ℃.
   • Case an electronic component processing factory is equipped with an oil-free scroll air compressor for the CNC lathe, which is matched with an adsorption dryer to meet the high purity requirements of the chip packaging for compressed air.
3. Energy saving and maintenance
   • frequency conversion control: The variable frequency air compressor can dynamically adjust the gas production according to the lathe gas consumption and reduce energy consumption (15%-30% energy saving compared with the fixed frequency air compressor).
   • Maintenance cycle regularly replace the lubricating oil and filter element, clean the cooler, and ensure the long-term stable operation of the air compressor.
   • Case: An auto parts factory adopts a variable frequency screw air compressor, which reduces annual power consumption by 20% and maintenance costs by 15%.