leveling cnc lathes

[cordeirot]

How important iit is to level a cnc lathe? what are the consequences of not leveling?

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

It depends on the rigidity of the machine. An extremely rigid machine could function well being in geometric alignment but not level. A machine not sufficiently rigid could be forced into geometric alignment and secured so it stayed that way.

Since leveling and securing a machine properly probably does not require much effort, why not level it?

A level machine makes set-ups and measurements easier. May be not so much on a lathe, but lathes are the easiest machines to misalign. (twist etc.)

Dick Z

[underthetire]

Ive installed almost every high end brand lathe out there. Level is not too important, as long as it's not way out. The purpose of leveling a lathe is to get the twist and bow out of the bed. That is critical. Only very short bed lathes won't twist much, like a gang tool lathe. All others i've done will either twist or will twist.