Mining operations are among the industries where lathe machining is of crucial importance. To maximize profitability innovative designs of the lathes have been developed by engineers to reduce machining time and increase efficiency. The flat bed and Slant bed lathes are such important innovations.

The CNC lathe machine is used for light to heavy machining. As the name suggests, the bed is flat or on a horizontal orientation .The work piece is accurately placed on the bench and rotated while the tool is stationery for machining to be done. The slant bed CNC has a sideways alignment so that a z-axis is developed during machining. Due to this alignment, the slant bed types are never able to achieve very high speeds during operation. The slant bed is also recommended for lighter operations. The stability of the flat bed CNC is also much higher than that of the slant types and has higher energy efficiency compared to the slant bed CNC.

One main advantage of the slant bed CNC is that is much more user friendly in operation as compared to the flat bed type, as it has lesser controls and calibrations.

The development of the slant bed was prompted by various factors in workshop design that were meant to enhance efficiency and space utilization. In an effort to better manage floor space, engineers discovered that slanting the X axis could result to an equipment that with more tool stations, and better access to the turret for easier mounting and removing tool holders. Thus the slant bed lathe was developed.