Working Principle of Lathe, Drilling, and Milling Machines
1. Lathe Machine Tool
Purpose: Used for producing cylindrical objects and performing metal cutting operations like turning, facing, threading, etc.
Working Principle:
A lathe machine works on the principle of a rotating workpiece and a stationary cutting tool.
- The workpiece is held and rotated about its axis.
- The cutting tool is fed in a linear direction, removing material in the form of chips.
- This results in shaping the material into the desired size and form.
Main Parts:
- Bed: Base of the machine.
- Headstock: Houses the motor and spindle to rotate the work.
- Tailstock: Supports the other end of the work or holds tools like drills.
- Carriage: Holds and moves the cutting tool.
- Feed Mechanism: Moves the tool automatically or manually.

Common Operations:
- Turning
- Facing
- Knurling
- Drilling
- Thread cutting
- Boring
2. Drilling Machine Tool
Purpose: To drill cylindrical holes in metal workpieces with precision and ease.
Working Principle:
A drilling machine works on the principle of rotating a drill bit to cut a hole in a stationary workpiece.
- The rotating drill bit is fed into the material.
- As the bit rotates and applies axial pressure, it cuts and removes material to create holes.
Main Parts:
- Base: Supports the machine.
- Column: Supports table and drill head.
- Table: Holds the workpiece.
- Drill Head: Contains the motor, spindle, and feed mechanism.

Common Operations:
- Drilling
- Reaming
- Boring
- Tapping
- Countersinking
- Spot facing
3. Milling Machine Tool
Purpose: To perform operations like cutting, slotting, gear shaping, keyways, and complex profiles.
Working Principle:
A milling machine works on the principle of a rotating multi-point cutter removing material from a stationary workpiece.
- The workpiece is fed against a rotating cutter.
- Material is removed in the form of small chips from the surface of the workpiece.
Types of Milling Operations:
- Up Milling (Conventional Milling): Work is fed opposite to the direction of cutter rotation.
- Down Milling (Climb Milling): Work is fed in the same direction as the cutter.

Main Parts:
- Base: Foundation of the machine.
- Column: Supports the spindle and overarm.
- Knee: Vertical support that can move up and down.
- Saddle: Mounted on the knee for crosswise movement.
- Table: Holds the workpiece.
- Arbor: Holds the rotating cutter.
- Overhanging Arm: Supports the free end of the arbor.
Common Operations:
- Face milling
- Side milling
- Slotting
- Gear cutting
- Profile milling
Comparison:
| Machine | Tool Movement | Work Movement | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lathe | Stationary | Rotates | Cylindrical turning & shaping |
| Drill | Rotates | Stationary | Hole making |
| Milling | Rotates (multi-point) | Linear movement (via table) | Cutting slots, surfaces, gears, etc. |
