A Survey of CNC Lathe Machining Parameters and Their Perceived Effects on Surface Finish and Tool Wear in Government Technical College Workshops in Rivers and Bayelsa States, South-South Nigeria

This study surveyed CNC lathe machining parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut and their perceived effects on surface finish and tool wear in Government Technical College workshops in Rivers and Bayelsa States, South-South Nigeria. The general purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which these machining parameters are currently applied in the sampled workshops and how they are perceived to influence surface finish quality and tool wear. Three research questions were posed and three null hypotheses formulated to guide the study. A survey research design was adopted. The research was carried out in 8 Government Technical College workshops across Rivers and Bayelsa States: GSTC Okaka-Yenagoa, GSTC Swali, GTC Port Harcourt, GTC Tombia, GSTC Sampou, GSTC Ofoni, GTC Ahoada, and GSTC Ayamassa. The population of the study was 183 respondents, comprising 16 mechanical technology teachers, 8 workshop assistants, and 169 mechanical technology students. A 30-item structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The instrument was validated by experts from the Department of Industrial and Technical Education, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and yielded a Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.78. Data were analyzed on a four-point scale using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that respondents generally agreed that cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut are currently applied in their workshops, and that these parameters are perceived to influence both surface finish quality and tool wear. No significant difference was found in the perceptions of teachers, workshop assistants, and students across all three research questions, and all null hypotheses were therefore accepted. The study recommends the development of documented parameter charts and routine surface finish and tool wear inspection practices to strengthen consistency in machining outcomes.