Question: what are the axis on a lathe?
Answer: For lathes, the X-axis is the cross slide (or turret) motion at a right angle to the spindle axis. Y-Axis The Y-axis on mills is either the in-and-out motion--toward and away from the operator (vertical spindle) or up-and-down motion (horizontal spindle). Simple CNC lathes are two-axis machines and have no Y-axis.