Lathe centres and standard tapers Lathe centres are manufactured with which standard self-holding taper to ensure interchangeability and secure seating?

Introduction / Context:
Tapers provide accurate self-holding fits between machine spindles and tooling. In engine lathes, centers must locate reliably and resist slipping during cutting, so a widely standardized taper is used.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Standard engine/center lathe tailstock and headstock centre sockets.
• Common workshop practice and interchangeability requirements.

Concept / Approach:
Morse tapers (MT) are a family of self-holding tapers used extensively on lathes and drill presses. They come in sizes (MT0, MT1, … MT7) allowing a wide range of center and sleeve combinations. The shallow taper angle generates frictional holding power without drawbars for centers.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the application: lathe centers in tailstock/headstock.Match to the common standard used: Morse taper.Confirm self-holding requirement: Morse taper fulfills it.

Verification / Alternative check:
Catalogs for live and dead centers list Morse taper shanks as standard; tailstocks are specified by Morse taper size.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Seller’s and Chapman tapers are not standard for lathe centres.
• Brown and Sharpe (B&S) tapers exist but are less common for centers in modern lathes.
• Jarno is a system used in some tooling but not standard for lathe centres.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing drill chuck tapers (e.g., Jacobs) with Morse; mixing self-holding with self-releasing (e.g., steep tapers).

Final Answer:
Morse taper