| The definition of a machine tool, if you look in the | | | | used flywheels to stabilize their motion. They also had |
| dictionary, is a powered machine used for cutting or | | | | complex systems of gears and levers to control the |
| shaping or finishing metals or other materials. This | | | | machine and whatever piece it was that it was |
| actually applies to a wide variety of tools such as a | | | | working on.After World War II a new advanced |
| broach, drill, gear shaper, hobbing machine, lathe, milling | | | | machine was made called the numerical control |
| machine, shaper, and grinder.Of course this definition | | | | machine. This machine used a series of numbers |
| doesn't really describe the usefulness of these type of | | | | punched on paper tape or punch cards that controlled |
| tools. So we'll try to do just that in this article.Most | | | | their motion.In the 1960s, computers were then added |
| machine tools, also by definition, are tools that are tools | | | | to the function of making these machines work. These |
| that use a power source. In other words, not operated | | | | computers gave more flexibility to the process. These |
| manually. But there are some tools that are considered | | | | machines became known as computer numerical |
| machine tools that are operated by hand.The first, | | | | control machines and they could repeat the same set |
| what were considered machine tools, were actually | | | | of instructions over and over similar to an assembly |
| made for the purpose of making other tools. These | | | | line. These machines could produce pieces that were |
| tools removed the human element from the process | | | | much more complex than anything produced by even |
| of stamping these tools by hand. Instead they were | | | | the most skilled tool operator.It wasn't long before |
| now stamped by machines.The first lathe machine | | | | these machines could automatically change the cutting |
| tools were invented in 1751 by Jacques de Vaucanson. | | | | and shaping tools that were being used in the process. |
| He was the very first to mount the cutting instrument | | | | To give an example, a drill machine might contain a |
| of the tool on a mechanically adjustable head. This | | | | magazine or cartridge with a number of drill bits. These |
| took the tool out of the hands of the operator.Machine | | | | bits could be used for producing holes of different |
| tools can actually be powered by a number of | | | | sizes. Before it was automated, operators would have |
| sources. Aside from human and animal power, the | | | | to manually change the bit in order to drill a different |
| energy for these tools can be captured from | | | | size hole. Today, we have the technology to create a |
| waterwheels and steam engines, in the early days, and | | | | machine that can alternate the drill bits by computer |
| finally electricity today. The Industrial Revolution had a | | | | program control.The truth is, without machine tools, |
| huge impact on the progress made with machine | | | | many of the things that we are able to make today |
| tools.Machine tools can be manually operated or | | | | would be either tool difficult, too costly or simply |
| automatically controlled. The very early machine tools | | | | impossible to make. |