A lathe is a machine for shaping or boring metal, wood, etc., in which the work piece is turned about a horizontal axis against a fixed tool.
The lathe is divided into four main parts: bed, headstock, tailstock, and carriage. The bed is the foundation of the lathe. It is made from cast iron and rigidly secured to the lathe stand. The top surface of the bed is accurately machined to form the bed ways or vet ways. All the other parts of the lathes are on and slide along these bed ways. The accuracy of the lathe is determined by the accuracy of the ways and care should always be taken to keep them in perfect condition.
The headstock is secured to the left hand end of the bed and sits on the bed ways, its main purpose being to supply the motive power for the lathe. The headstock contains the belts, pulleys or gears, which bring the power from the motor to the work piece so that it can be machined.
The tailstock has the job of supporting the loose end of the metal while it is machined. The tailstock can be used to support a drill chuck for drilling as well as other devices.
The carriage is used to support the lathe tool and move it so as to cut the metal. It slides along the bed ways.
(Taken from Bahasa Inggris, Materi PTBK Buku 2)