What type of lathe is commonly used to make cylindrical workpieces?

The engine lathe is a versatile and widely utilized machine tool specifically designed for the production of cylindrical workpieces. This type of lathe features a tailstock, headstock, and carriage, which allow for various operations like turning, facing, and threading. Its design accommodates a wide range of workpiece sizes and includes capabilities for both manual operation and automation.

Engine lathes are particularly known for their ability to produce high-precision components, as they can be easily set up to perform exact cuts and maintain tight tolerances on round shapes. This makes them ideal for tasks that require accurate machining of cylindrical parts, such as shafts, pins, and bushings.

While turret lathes, CNC lathes, and bench lathes are also used for machining, they have specific applications that may not align as directly with general cylindrical workpiece production. For example, turret lathes are often used for mass production with multiple operations in a single setup, CNC lathes provide automation and complex machining, and bench lathes are typically more suited for smaller or lighter tasks. Therefore, the engine lathe stands out as the appropriate choice for a conventional and flexible approach to creating cylindrical components.