The lathe spindle is the rotating shaft housed within the headstock that holds and drives the workpiece. It is precisely machined and supported by high-quality bearings to ensure smooth, accurate rotation, which is critical for producing round and concentric parts. The spindle can be hollow to allow bar stock to pass through, and it is driven by a motor through a system of gears or belts that provide variable speeds and torque.
The spindle nose is the outer end of the spindle where workholding devices such as chucks, collets, or faceplates are mounted. Its design must ensure a secure, repeatable, and precise connection between the spindle and the tooling. There are various standard spindle nose configurations, such as threaded, cam-lock (D-type), or long taper with key (L-type), each suited to different types of operations and machine sizes. The spindle nose is a critical interface in turning operations, directly affecting the machine’s versatility and the rigidity of the setup.
