The tool post is the part of the machine on which the cutting tools and rotating tools that machine the workpiece are mounted.
Several tools are mounted in advance and used in turn as machining proceeds.
The tool post design is a key factor, directly affecting machining speed and how many tools can be carried.
A Closer Look
Tool posts fall into two broad types.
The "gang type" (gang tooling), in which tools are fixed in a row like the teeth of a comb, and the "turret type," in which tools are arranged radially and indexed by rotation.
The gang type switches tools simply by sliding the tool post, so tool changes are fast, making it suited to high-speed volume production of simple parts.
The turret type carries many tools, making it suited to complex shapes and a wide product mix.
Some models combine both.