Follower rest lathe

Types of follower rests lathe

Machines known as lathes rotate a piece of material so that tools can carve, sand, cut, or drill into the material to create a desired shape. They are used to make items such as axes, pillars, and disks out of wood, metal, plastic, and glass. A Follower rest lathes is a support, usually made of metal castings, for the working piece that is not clamped to the bed of the lathe. It assists the workpiece by following it when the cutting tool is stationary and provides additional support to the workpiece. It decreases the chances of the workpiece bending or vibrating during the machining process, damaging both the workpiece and the cutting tool. It is especially useful when machining longer workpieces.

Follower rests are mainly classified into two categories:

• Travelling Follower Rest: The travelling follower rest, positioned beneath the cutting tool, adjusts along with the workpiece. This specifically prevents interference between the cutting tool and the follower rest itself. The travelling follower rest offers three pointed supports to the workpiece to avoid bending and whipping while machining.
• Fixed Follower Rest: The fixed follower rest has a cutting tool clamp attached to the fixed follower rest that clamps the cutting tool at a certain distance, providing a definite clearance. While machining, the workpiece may not make contact with the follower rest. This is unlike the travelling follower rest where the workpiece and the follower rest could potentially make contact. The fixed follower rest has three pointed supports, just like the travelling rest.

Specifications and maintenance of lathe follower rests

Choosing the suitable lathe rest requires understanding its specifications to meet certain requirements. Generally, the main specifications of a follower rest lathe are the types, materials, sizes, and compatible lathes.

• Types: As mentioned above, the specifications of lathe follower rest ends usually include the fixed follower rest and the adjustable follower rest. The fixed follower rest is suitable for turning cylindrical workpieces with a constant diameter. However, the adjustable follower rest can accommodate workpieces of different diameters.
• Materials: Generally, the task of a machine tool's lathe rest is to support workpieces during machining operations. Therefore, having a sturdy structure is extremely important so that it can offer adequate support without compromising the accuracy of the machining operation. For this purpose, many metal lathe follower rests are made of cast iron due to its excellent damping properties, which helps absorb vibrations and reduce noise levels, thus improving the stability of precision operations. In addition to cast iron, other common materials that provide adequate support to rest machining accuracy are aluminum alloy and steel.
• Size: The size of a follower rest typically refers to the size of its support bracket. The support brackets' dimensions will determine the size of the workpieces it can support during machining operations. The common sizes of lathe follower rest support brackets are 1 inch, 1.5 inches, and 2 inches.
• Compatible lathes: Because of their own structure and task, lathe followers usually fit the same thread or closely matched threads and pitch, which enable it to mount onto the machine tool holder precisely.

Whatever material a follower rest is made of, it needs maintenance. Attention paid to the rest will extend its life. The most important part of the rest that requires care is the sliding surfaces. They should be clean and free from any contaminants before applying oil for lubrication. A small amount of machine tool lubricant applied to them is usually sufficient. A lint-free cloth can be used to remove any excess or to clean any residue before applying fresh lubricant.

Oiling the moving parts of the rest occasionally is important too. This will help to maintain smooth movement and prevent any parts from wearing out prematurely. The oiling of the moving parts can be done periodically or after every use, depending on the frequency of use of the follower rest.

Application scenarios of follower rest lathe

The application of follower rest for lathe machines can be found in various industries that rely heavily on machinery to create or cut cylindrical objects or products. Such industries and their workings may include the following:

• Industry

  Farming Equipment Industry

  Usage Scenario

  In the farming equipment industry, a lathe machine with a follower rest is used to work with cylindrical metals to create various agricultural equipment necessary to harvest or cultivate land. The rest provides support to the farming equipment cylindrical parts as they are being machined and ensures that they are accurately shaped and cut.

• Industry

  Automobile Manufacturing Industry

  Usage Scenario

  In the automobile manufacturing industry, the lathe machine with a follower rest is used to precisely shape various automobile parts, such as crankshafts, hubs, and steering columns. The rest supports the working material while also allowing it to be accurately and efficiently cut or carved.

  Vehicle Maintenance Scenarios: In an automobile repair shop or service center where vehicles are regularly repaired or serviced, a lathe machine rest can be used when restoring or replacing any vehicle component that is cylindrical in shape. This may include a vehicle's axle, spindle, or valve.

• Industry

  Medical Device Manufacturing Industry

  Usage Scenario

  In the medical device manufacturing industry, a follower rest for a CNC lathe machine can be used to produce precise and complex medical equipment such as prosthetics, orthopedic devices, or surgical instruments. These items often have cylindrical patterns and require accuracy, which the rest can help with when working with these objects on a lathe machine.

• Industry

  Furniture Production Industry

  Usage Scenario

  In the furniture production industry, a lathe machine with a follower rest can be used to create unique and custom furniture pieces such as bed posts, table legs, chair arms, and decorative moldings. The CNC machine with the rest will ensure that the furniture workpieces with cylindrical shapes are produced smoothly and precisely.

• Industry

  Leather Processing Industry

  Usage Scenario

  When working with leather in the leather processing industry, a lathe machine follower rest can be used when making leather items such as straps, belts, or handles. This machine can also be used to shape any other material that requires precision when working on.

How to Choose Follower Rest Lathe

When choosing a follower rest for the lathe machine, certain important things should not be overlooked. For starters, the size of the lathe workpiece should match the size of the rest being chosen. Since the purpose of a follower rest is to support the workpiece while it is being machined, it is crucial that its bearings correspond with the diameter of the workpiece.

Secondly, material is something that needs to be carefully considered. Even though most lathe rest supports are made of cast iron, which offers sufficient strength and stability, it is always good to explore other options available in the industry. Aluminum, for instance, is a lightweight metal that possesses excellent machining qualities, making it an ideal candidate for machine parts like the follower rest.

Another thing to consider when buying lathe machine rests is the king post design. The king post design of a lathe rest determines how the rest moves along with the workpiece during machining. The telescopic design is one of the most favorite type of king post designs that is prevalent for its smooth and accurate movement.

Lastly, the quality of the follower rest should not be compromised. This applies not just for the follower lathe rest but also for any kind of machinery or equipment being purchased from suppliers and manufacturers. Using machinery and equipment of low quality can lead to a plethora of problems, including but not limited to, regular breakdowns, low production output, increased cost of maintenance and employee training, and low customer satisfaction.

Q&A

Q1: What kind of materials can a follower rest work with?

A1: Follower rests can work with various materials, including metals like aluminum, brass, carbon steel, stainless steel, copper alloys, and ferrous materials. They also support non-metal materials, such as plastics and composites, including acrylic, phenolic, polypropylene, PTFE, polyurethane, and more. Some alloys resist corrosion, and others have specific mechanical properties that may be desirable when working with them on a lathe machine.

Q2: What are the follower rest's load and weight capacities?

A2: The weight capacity of a lathe tool rest varies depending on its size and specifications. For example, a small metal lathe's follower rest may support a load of around 10 kg, whereas larger ones higher, such as 200 kg or more. It is crucial not to exceed the maximum follower rest lathe load, or it will break. If unsure about the weight limit of a particular follower rest, consult with the manufacturer or supplier for guidance.

Q3: Is it easy to adjust or operate a follower rest on a lathe?

A3: It is straightforward to operate and adjust a follower rest on a lathe machine. It usually has a mounting mechanism with one or two clamps to sit on the bed securely. The bed is a horizontal part of the lathe that moves as material rotates and cuts into it. The user can unlock the fasteners after sliding it to the desired position along the bed and lock it again after sliding to any desired part for work.

Q4: How does the cost of a follower rest compare to other accessories?

A4: Generally, the price of a follower rest lathe is higher than many other accessories because it is larger in size and requires more material to make. It also needs to support heavier workpieces more precisely to give accurate machining. Prices vary according to their size, weight capacity, material, and manufacturer.