A metal lathe or metalworking lathe is a large class of lathes designed for precisely machining relatively hard materials. They were initially designed to machine metals; however, with the advent of plastics and other materials and their inherent versatility, they are used in a wide range of applications and materials. In machining jargon, where the larger context is already understood, they are usually called lathes or referred to by more specific subtype names (toolroom lathe, turret lathe, etc.). These rigid machine tools remove material from a rotating workpiece via the (typically linear) movements of various cutting tools, such as tool bits and drill bits. At BT, we use CNC lathes daily for both prototypes and production. We would be happy to give you a tour of our facility. Contact us for more information or for a quote on your next project.