The turning machine mainly uses a turning tool to turn the rotating workpiece. Lathes are mainly used for machining shafts, discs, sleeves and other workpieces with a rotating surface. They are the most widely used type of machine tool in mechanical manufacturing plants.

The cutting energy for turning machining is mainly provided by the workpiece rather than the tool. Turning is suitable for machining rotary surfaces. Most workpieces with rotary surfaces can be machined by turning, such as inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, inner and outer conical surfaces, end faces, grooves, threads and rotary forming surfaces. The tools used are mainly turning tools.

 Among all types of metal cutting machine tools, lathes are the most widely used category, accounting for about 50% of the total number of machine tools. The lathe can be used to turn the workpiece with a turning tool, as well as drilling, reaming, tapping and knurling with drills, reamers, taps and knurling knives.