Tokarka

Tokarka is the Polish word for a lathe, a machine tool that rotates a workpiece against a stationary cutting tool to remove material and produce cylindrical shapes. In broader Slavic usage, related terms denote the lathe or turning operations; for example, Russian uses токарный станок to refer to the lathe. The term tokarka is widely understood in Polish machining contexts as referring to the lathe itself.

Operation and types: A typical lathe consists of a rotating spindle, a chuck to hold the workpiece, a tailstock, and a tool post for cutting tools. The workpiece is advanced against the cutting tools to perform operations such as turning, facing, threading, and sometimes drilling or boring. Major types include engine lathes (manual), turret lathes, CNC lathes, metal lathes, and wood lathes. Variants are designed for different scales, materials, and precision requirements.

History: Lathes are among the oldest machine tools. The modern screw-cutting lathe emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries, with contributions that improved precision, threading capability, and rigidity. The development of automatic and numerically controlled lathes in the 20th century further expanded capabilities, enabling complex production runs and high-precision components.

Applications: Lathes are central to metalworking and woodturning. They are used to produce shafts, bolts, bushings, gears, and decorative objects, as well as complex components in automotive, aerospace, and machinery manufacturing. CNC and specialized lathes have broadened capabilities while increasing repeatability and efficiency. See also lathes, screw-cutting lathe, CNC lathe, woodturning.