What advantage does live tooling provide in lathe operations?

Live tooling provides the capability to perform operations that are traditionally executed on a milling machine while using a lathe. This is achieved by equipping the lathe with additional rotating tools that can engage with the workpiece as it spins. With live tooling, machinists can perform drilling, tapping, and contouring operations directly on the lathe, enabling more complex part geometries to be produced in a single setup. This functionality enhances productivity and reduces the need for workpiece repositioning, which can lead to decreased cycle times and increased precision.

While other options may address different aspects of lathe operation, they do not convey the specific operational versatility that live tooling introduces. For example, reducing machine weight does not impact the function of live tooling, nor does it directly relate to increased cutting speed or simplifying the tool changing process. The primary advantage highlighted by option B revolves around the expanded capabilities of the lathe, making it a multifunctional machine that streamlines manufacturing processes.