Lathe Machine Page 1

California State University Fullerton
Department of Engineering and Computer Science

EGME 315-F15
Machine Shop
Lathe Project: The Scriber

by Luingiorno

Lathe Machine Top Skills
Optical Precision with eye balling
Handling controls going at different directions
Measuring heights and thickness with various instruments (micrometer, vernier height)


Project: to manufacture a scriber using a process of repeatability and within tolerance

common mistakes:
1) Forgetting chuck key in the chuck
2) Misunderstanding scales in micrometer and vernier-height devices.
3) Forgetting directions of controls (eg. pushing the cutter into the part rather than moving away)
4) Unfamiliar with cutting tools and their use

Buying Needed Materials:
1) Aluminum round bar (to be scriber)
2) Metal ink (layout fluid: use to make reference marks on the aluminum bar)
3) Ruler 6 in: used to calibrate lathe cutting tools to make perpendicular to round bar
4) Steel rod: used as the the point of the scriber
5) center drill: used for the holes in the rod prior to actual drilling or used to make holes for support

Needed instruments (provided):
Lathe: the machine that rotates the aluminum bar so patters could be made by cutting
Micrometer: used to measure diameter of aluminum bar
Vernier Height: Used to make marks, along with metal ink, for the length of the scriber
torch: Instrument to hardening tip of the scriber (metal rod part)

Steps of Manufacturing
*Time saving tip: Aluminum rod and steel rod could be manufactured separately