Cross slides allow movement of tool holders or workpieces along two perpendicular planes during machining. They fall into two categories: those that support tool bits and those that support workpieces. Both achieve movement through two lead screw mechanisms and offer precise feed control. Lathes spin the workpiece while the tool tip remains static, while milling machines feature a rotating tool bit. Cross slides for milling machines and drill presses hold and feed the workpiece, while the tool bit rotates to make the cut. Both types of cross slides can be adjusted along two perpendicular planes for precision machining.
A cross slide is a part of a machine tool that allows movement of a tool holder or workpiece along two perpendicular planes during machining. Cross slides fall into two categories: those that support tool bits such as cross slides for lathes and workpiece supports used on milling machines and drill presses. A cross slide on the lathe serves as a moving platform for a static tool when performing facing operations. The cross slide of a milling machine or drill press moves a workpiece through the axis of a rotating tool bit to perform cutting operations. Both types typically achieve their movement by means of two lead screw mechanisms which allow for a high degree of control and very precise feed.
Precision machine tools such as lathes and milling machines rely on the accurate introduction and feed of the respective tool bits into the face of the workpiece. The main difference between the two machine types is the relationship between the workpiece and the tool tip. Lathes spin the workpiece in a precision spindle while the tool tip remains static in a tool holder. Machining is accomplished by moving the tip of the tool against the workpiece to cut away the material. Milling machines feature a rotating tool bit that is held static as the workpiece is fed against it to remove material.
The cross slides of the lathe are mounted on the machine saddle which straddles the bed of the lathe and travels the length on the same axis as the rotating workpiece. The cross slide in turn offers a mounting platform for the tool holder in which the tip of the tool is held. As the saddle moves along the length of the bed, the slide and tool holder move with it to make parallel cuts. When facing is required, the cross slide can be adjusted across the width of the lathe bed to cut the face of the part. The cross slide can also be adjusted to travel along the length of the saddle and for further fine-tuning.
Cross slides for milling machines and drill presses offer the same level of precise feed control as lathe slides. The main difference between the two, however, is that the router slide holds and feeds the workpiece, and the tool bit rotates to make the cut. This feature means that a milling machine cross slide will incorporate a specially designed vise that supports and immobilises the workpiece. By turning the lead screw cranks, the workpiece is advanced to contact the tip of the tool to achieve the cut. This type of cross slide can also be adjusted along two perpendicular planes to give the operator a high degree of flexibility and precision in machining the piece.
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