1. Precautions for Workpiece Clamping and Alignment
Before clamping a workpiece, remove any sand, grit, or debris adhering to it to prevent these impurities from becoming embedded in the carriage sliding surfaces, which could accelerate guideway wear or cause the guideways to seize or become scored ("bitten").
When clamping and aligning large, complex, or small-contact-area workpieces, place a wooden protective cover over the lathe bed beneath the workpiece. Additionally, secure the workpiece with clamping plates or a live center to prevent it from falling and damaging the lathe. If the workpiece is positioned incorrectly or is tilted, do not strike it forcefully, as this could compromise the accuracy of the lathe spindle; instead, slightly loosen the chuck jaws, clamping plates, or center before proceeding with a systematic alignment.
2. Placement of Tools and Turning Tools
Do not place tools or turning tools directly on the lathe bed, as this can damage the guideways. If placement on the bed is necessary, first cover the bed with a protective board and place the tools on that board.
(1) When sanding a workpiece, cover the lathe bed beneath it with a protective board or paper; carefully wipe the bed clean after sanding.
(2) When turning cast iron workpieces, install a guideway guard cover on the carriage and wipe away any lubricating oil from the section of the bed where chips might scatter.
(3) When the lathe is not in use, perform proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent chips, grit, or debris from entering the sliding surfaces of the guideways, which could score or accelerate wear on the guideways.
(4) Before using coolant/lubricant, remove any debris from the lathe guideways and the coolant reservoir; after use, wipe the coolant/lubricant dry from the guideways and apply machine lubricant.
