
Different types of machine tool have different functions and they are used for manufacturing a variety of products.
Based on the specialty of each machine tool, they are classified into 6 categories as shown below.
Classification of Machine Tool
Machine tool can be classified on the following basis.
- Purpose of application
- General purpose machine tool
- Example: Lathe machine, Shaper machine, Milling machine
- Special purpose machine tool
- Example: Gear cutting machines (hobbing machine)
- General purpose machine tool
- Types of surface produced
- Machine tool producing cylindrical surface
- Example: Drilling machine, Lathe machine
- Machine tool producing flat surface
- Example: Shaper machine, Milling machine
- Machine tool producing cylindrical surface
- Types of motion
- Reciprocating type machine tool
- Example: Shaper machine, Planner machine, Slotter machine
- Rotary type machine tool
- Example: Lathe machine, Drilling machine, Grinding machine
- Reciprocating type machine tool
- Types of energy source
- Conventional machine tool
- Example: Lathe machine, Shaper machine, Drilling machine, Milling machine
- Non-conventional machine tool
- Example: Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, Ultrasonic Machining, Abrasive Jet Machining, etc
- Conventional machine tool
- Degree of automation
- Manual control machine tools
- Example: Lathe machine, Milling machine, Shaper machine, Planer machine
- Semi-automatic machine tool
- Example: Capstan and Turret lathe
- Automatic machine tool
- Example: Parallel and Progressive axis machine tool, Automats, Transfer line machine
- Manual control machine tools
- Based on cutting tool used
- Single point cutting tool
- Example: Lathe machine, Shaper machine, Slotter machine, Planner machine
- Multipoint cutting tool
- Grinding machine, Milling machine, Drilling machine
- Single point cutting tool