Explain what a LATHE machine is. State the function of a lathe machine. Outline any four (4) industrial revolution demands for a lathe machine.

Q2ai) Four common lathe operations are:

• Turning: This operation involves reducing the diameter of a workpiece to a specific dimension. The cutting tool moves parallel to the axis of rotation of the workpiece, removing material from the outer surface.
• Facing: Facing is used to create a flat, smooth surface at the end of a workpiece, perpendicular to its axis of rotation. The cutting tool is fed radially into the rotating workpiece.
• Drilling: This operation creates a hole along the axis of the workpiece. A drill bit is held in the tailstock and fed into the rotating workpiece.
• Threading: Threading is the process of creating screw threads on the external or internal surface of a workpiece. A specialized threading tool is used, moving precisely along the workpiece's axis at a specific feed rate to form the thread profile.