The force applied to a cutting tool in a lathe comes from how many directions?

The force applied to a cutting tool in a lathe comes from how many directions?

• A. Two directions
• B. Three directions
• C. Four directions
• D. Five directions

Answer: (B)

Three directions. When a cutting tool engages a rotating workpiece on a lathe, the interaction creates forces that can be resolved into three mutually perpendicular components. The tangential (cutting) force acts along the direction the workpiece surface moves past the edge. The axial (feed) force acts along the tool’s feed direction, guiding the tool along the length of the workpiece. The radial (normal) force acts perpendicular to the cutting face, pressing into or away from the workpiece. These three components cover the directions the material resistance produces, so the total force on the tool is a combination of forces in three directions.

Three directions. When a cutting tool engages a rotating workpiece on a lathe, the interaction creates forces that can be resolved into three mutually perpendicular components. The tangential (cutting) force acts along the direction the workpiece surface moves past the edge. The axial (feed) force acts along the tool’s feed direction, guiding the tool along the length of the workpiece. The radial (normal) force acts perpendicular to the cutting face, pressing into or away from the workpiece. These three components cover the directions the material resistance produces, so the total force on the tool is a combination of forces in three directions.