What is the main reason for using a lathe?

The primary purpose of a lathe is to machine cylindrical parts. In lathe operations, the workpiece is rotated against a cutting tool, enabling the creation of precise shapes, sizes, and finishes on cylindrical forms. Lathes are particularly well-suited for operations such as turning, facing, and tapering, allowing for high levels of accuracy and repeatability when producing cylindrical components.

While lathes can perform various tasks, such as drilling holes or machining flat surfaces to some extent, these functions are secondary to their core capability of shaping cylindrical objects. Additionally, assembly tasks are outside the scope of what a lathe is specifically designed for. This specialization makes lathes indispensable in the production of shafts, bushings, and other rotational parts typically found in mechanical systems.