In lathe operations, what does profiling allow you to create?

Profiling in lathe operations is a technique used to create complex or curved features on a workpiece. This process involves moving the cutting tool in a way that follows the desired contour of the material being machined, allowing for the production of shapes that include intricate designs, radii, and various other non-linear contours.

By utilizing profiling, operators can tailor components to meet specific design requirements that may be beyond the capabilities of standard straight cutting or turning operations. Essentially, this method expands the versatility of lathe machining, enabling the fabrication of parts that exhibit a combination of both geometric detail and aesthetic appeal.

Flat surfaces would be produced by other techniques such as facing or turning without any intricate movements. Similarly, while cylinder-shaped features and angular cuts are achievable with lathe operations, they do not exploit the full potential of profiling, which specifically pertains to creating more varied and complex geometries.