Difference between Capstan Turret and Engine Lathe?

What is Capstan Turret?

A Capstan Turret is a machine used for rotating the load on a spindle. It consists of a spindle and one or more rotary capstans that are connected to it by gears, belts, or other means. The load is moved from the center of the spindle to its periphery as the turret rotates. 

A Capstan Turret lathe is a specific type of turret lathe. It derives its name from the fact that it has a capstan on its turret. The capstan is a revolving drum around which the workpiece (or, more accurately, the work-holding device) is wrapped and gripped. This allows for very rapid rotation of the workpiece without having to move the chuck or tailstock.

A Capstan Turret Lathe is a machine used for high precision machining of cylindrical parts. It mounts a workpiece vertically and rotates it using a lead screw or another type of rotating mechanism to do the cutting, as opposed to an engine lathe which cuts perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

In contrast, a capstan admits self-generated motions from two often separately driven systems which are concentric but counter-rotate from one another - from either side towards each other's centerline for power transmission between them

A Capstan Turret lathe has rotary-mounted work tables so the part being machined is always in a secure position, and a 3500 rpm engine provides more power for this type of machine.

What is Engine Lathe?

An Engine Lathe is an industrial tool used in metalworking and woodworking industries to shape metal and wood by spinning them at high speed with cutting tools mounted on the end of an arbor.

An Engine Lathe cuts on the principle that axial movements, such as pushing or pulling with a round end tool holder or chuck, produce radial movement at the cutting surface of the spindle. 

An Engine Lathe is a specific type of manual lathe. It derives its name from the fact that it was originally driven by an external power source (i.e., an engine), although modern models are typically powered by an electric motor. An engine lathe can be either benchtop or floor-standing.

Difference between a Capstan Turret and an Engine Lathe:

Capstan Turret can hold more than one tool, while an engine lathe can only hold one tool at a time.

A Capstan Turret is a machine used for rotating and clamping tools or workpieces. The turret consists of a series of radially arranged rollers that grip the part to be rotated.

An Engine Lathe is an industrial machine used for turning round metal pieces by applying pressure on their outer surfaces with a sharp tool called a cutter.

An Engine Lathe uses gears and belt drives to turn the spindle, while a capstan turret has gear-like teeth on its outer circumference. The gear-like teeth allow for more accurate positioning of the spindle than with an engine lathe.

A Capstan Lathe is a machine used primarily for the turning of small to medium-sized cylindrical workpieces. They are generally limited to parts that can be handled by one person.

An Engine Lathe is a larger machine that can handle larger parts. It also has a more powerful motor, which allows it to cut harder materials.

An Engine Lathe is more accurate than a capstan turret.

Capstan Turret lathes are used for shorter parts that need more precision. The turret is a cylindrical head with several cutting tools mounted on it that swivel around to the part being machined. This type of lathe can hold smaller diameters and is typically used for high-production work.

Engine Lathes are larger, more versatile machines that can handle larger parts and have a greater range of motion. They are mostly used for general-purpose machining's, such as turning, facing, and drilling.

Capstan Turret is more versatile, as it can be used for multiple tasks, while the engine lathe is limited to performing single tasks. For this reason, many machine shops use capstan turrets for most of their machining needs, reserving the engine lathe for more specialized tasks.