A lathe is a versatile machine tool that rotates a workpiece around an axis of rotation to perform a series of operations, including cutting, drilling, facing, sanding, deformation, boring, knurling, threading, grooving, polishing, and turning. A lathe machine typically has these parts: bed, motor, chuck, spindle, headstock, hand wheels, gearbox, brake, tool post, tool holder, tailstock, and a host of cutting tools. 

Lathes have multiple variants. They are used to give metals, glasses, words, and thermoplastics a definite shape. Popular types of lathe machines in the market include speed lathes, turret lathes, center or engine lathes, tool room lathes, glass lathes, automatic lathes, bench lathes, and CNC lathes.