The carriage moves a lathe's cutting tool from side to side along what axis?

The carriage moves a lathe's cutting tool from side to side along what axis?

• A. Z axis
• B. X axis
• C. Y axis
• D. W axis

Answer: (A)

On a lathe, the carriage travels along the length of the bed in line with the spindle axis. This direction is the Z axis, which lets the cutting tool move from one end of the workpiece to the other to shape its length. Movement across the diameter, i.e., side-to-side across the face of the work, is done by the cross slide and runs along the X axis (radial direction). So the carriage’s side-to-side travel along the length is along the Z axis.

On a lathe, the carriage travels along the length of the bed in line with the spindle axis. This direction is the Z axis, which lets the cutting tool move from one end of the workpiece to the other to shape its length. Movement across the diameter, i.e., side-to-side across the face of the work, is done by the cross slide and runs along the X axis (radial direction). So the carriage’s side-to-side travel along the length is along the Z axis.