How to choose vertical lathe and horizontal lathe

The choice of horizontal or vertical lathe depends mainly on machining requirements, workpiece characteristics, machining efficiency and workshop conditions. The following is a comparison of the two and the main points of choice:

1. Horizontal Lathe

Features:

The spindle is arranged horizontally and the workpiece is usually clamped horizontally.

It is suitable for machining long shafts, discs and sets of parts.

Flexible tool movement, suitable for a variety of external, internal and end face machining.

Simple structure, easy operation and maintenance, relatively low price.

Applicable scenes:

Workpiece type: slender shafts, threads, cylindrical parts (such as drive shafts, screws).

Machining accuracy: suitable for parts with medium accuracy requirements.

Batch: small and medium batch production or single piece processing.

Space: large footprint, suitable for spacious workshops.

Advantages:

Strong versatility, suitable for a variety of parts processing.

Convenient clamping, gravity has little effect on the workpiece.

Easy to discharge chips, suitable for machining deeper holes.

Disadvantages:

Difficulty in clamping large workpieces.

Heavy workpiece may lead to spindle sagging, affecting the accuracy.

2. vertical lathe

Features:

The spindle is arranged vertically and the workpiece is usually clamped vertically.

It is suitable for processing large, heavy and large diameter disc or ring shaped parts.

The gravity of the workpiece is evenly distributed, which is suitable for high-precision machining.

Usually equipped with CNC system, high degree of automation.

Applicable scenarios:

Type of workpieces: large flanges, hubs, gear blanks, moulds and other short and heavy parts.

Machining precision: suitable for high precision and large parts machining.

Batch size: large quantity or heavy parts production.

Space: small footprint, but need higher plant.

Advantages:

Suitable for machining heavy and large diameter workpieces with good stability.

Gravity is favourable to workpiece clamping, high machining accuracy.

Suitable for complex surface machining, CNC vertical lathe with high degree of automation.

Disadvantages:

Higher equipment cost and maintenance cost.

Inconvenient for processing of slender shaft parts.

Chip accumulation may affect machining and require additional cleaning.

Selection advice

According to the size and shape of the workpiece:

Choose horizontal lathe for long and thin shaft parts.

For large diameter, short and thick parts, choose vertical lathe.

Processing accuracy requirements:

Horizontal lathe for general accuracy, low cost.

High precision, large parts with vertical lathe.

Production batch:

Horizontal lathe is selected for small batch and general processing.

Vertical lathe for large quantity and heavy parts.

Workshop conditions:

Vertical lathe is chosen for limited space and high plant.

Horizontal lathe is chosen for spacious space.

Budget:

Horizontal lathe is the best choice for limited budget and high cost performance.

If you have enough budget and need high efficiency, choose vertical lathe.

Comprehensive recommendations

If the workshop processing parts of various types and large size span, it is recommended to give priority to the horizontal lathe, because of its versatility and low cost. If the main processing of large, heavy, disc parts, and high precision requirements, vertical lathe is a better choice. For CNC requirements, vertical CNC lathes are more suitable for automated production, but need to weigh the cost.

If you need specific recommendations for equipment models or brands, you can provide more details of your processing needs, and I can help you further analyse!