A lathe machine is a tool that rotates a workpiece on its axis to perform various operations such as cutting, drilling, sanding, knurling and deformation with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about an axis of rotation.
The lathe machine is commonly used in metalworking, woodworking, and glassworking industries to produce a variety of objects such as shafts, rods, bowls, candlesticks and even musical instruments.
The lathe machine consists of a bed, headstock, tailstock, and carriage.
The bed is the base of the machine that supports the other components.
The headstock is located at one end of the bed and holds the spindle, which rotates the workpiece.
The tailstock is located at the other end of the bed and supports the other end of the workpiece.
The carriage moves along the bed and holds the cutting tool, which is used to shape the workpiece.
The lathe machine can be operated manually or with computer numerical control (CNC).
In manual operation, the operator controls the movement of the cutting tool by turning handwheels and adjusting levers.
In CNC operation, the cutting tool is controlled by a computer program that is fed into the machine.
How dangerous is the lathe machine?
While lathe is an essential tool for many tasks, it can also be dangerous if not used properly.
One of the most significant dangers of the lathe machine is the risk of entanglement.
The rotating chuck and workpiece can easily catch loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair, pulling the operator into the machine and causing severe injuries or even death.
To prevent this, operators should always wear appropriate clothing, tie back long hair, and remove any jewelry before operating the machine.
Another danger of the lathe machine is the risk of flying debris.
The high-speed rotation of the workpiece can cause chips, shavings, or broken tools to be ejected from the machine, potentially causing eye or facial injuries.
To prevent this, operators should always wear safety glasses or a face shield and ensure that the workpiece is securely clamped in place.
Additionally, the lathe machine can produce loud noise levels, which can cause hearing damage over time.
Operators should wear hearing protection, such as earplugs or earmuffs, to reduce the risk of hearing loss.
Finally, the lathe machine can also pose a risk of electrical shock if not properly grounded or maintained.
Operators should ensure that the machine is properly grounded and that all electrical components are in good working order before use.
The lathe machine can be a dangerous tool if not used properly.
Operators should be trained in its safe operation, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and follow all safety guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries.
Russian lathe accident video
The clip of the lathe machine accident was shared on the r/watchthingsfly forum by a user who has since deactivated their account.
Although the almost minute-long video was uploaded two years ago, it has again gained traction online recently.
The post has over 15.6k upvotes with almost 2000 comments.
According to The Crucible, a website dedicated to the industrial arts, a lathe is a “machine tool used to shape wooden or metallic products.”
It spins the material about an axis as a stationary cutting tool keeps shaving off unwanted material to furnish it into a desired shape.
According to Reddit user r/PRUnicycles, since the force required to shape the material is extremely high, the machine continues to spin despite high resistance.
In the video, the worker gets too close to the spinning part and gets caught in it as the machine continues to spin and pull him in.
Several users warned against operating the machine negligently with one commenting, “Machines built to chew up metal will not stop for a human.”
The Lathe machine accident video left netizens extremely traumatized.
While many expressed sorrow, other users hoped that the victim died at the first blow and did not suffer through the accident.
