Parting, also known as parting off, is a lathe machining operation used to cut off a workpiece from a larger stock material. The primary purpose of parting is to separate a finished or semi-finished component from the rest of the material, creating individual pieces with specific lengths. This process is essential for producing individual components from long bars of material.
Parting can be a delicate operation because the tool is relatively thin, and the cutting forces can be significant, potentially causing the tool to deflect or break if not properly managed. It’s essential to have proper tool positioning, cutting speed, feed rate, and material support to achieve a clean and accurate cut.