Lathe bed guidance On an engine lathe, the tailstock and the carriage may be guided on the same guideway or on separate guideways depending on bed design and alignment requirements. Is this statement correct?

Introduction / Context:
Lathe beds incorporate precision guideways to carry the carriage (saddle and cross-slide) and to support and align the tailstock. Different bed designs assign these functions to the same or separate ways to balance rigidity, wear, and alignment.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Conventional engine lathe construction.
• Guideways may be V-flat, double V, or prism and flat.
• Tailstock alignment is critical for accurate turning and drilling.

Concept / Approach:
Many lathes use separate guideway pairs: a V-way dedicated to the carriage for precision and load capacity, and a separate flat/prismatic way for the tailstock to maintain alignment and minimize wear interaction. Some compact or light-duty lathes guide both assemblies on common ways. The choice is a design preference with trade-offs in manufacturing and maintenance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recognize that lathe beds can have multiple way profiles.Understand that carriage and tailstock may share or separate ways.Conclude that both arrangements are found; the statement is correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
Lathe catalogs and cross-sections show separate tailstock ways on many heavy engine lathes, while benchtop models often share ways.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Limiting the arrangement to gap-bed, CNC, or hardened beds is incorrect; guidance design varies broadly across lathe families.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming misalignment stems from guides alone; tailstock quill wear and bed wear also affect coaxiality.

Final Answer:
True