You haven't stated which make, model of lathe you use, or what you are machining.
You may have a model-maker's lathe or a giant lathe for turning steam turbine shafts.
You may be machining steel, brass, wood or many others.
So, I am going to make some assumptions here:
You are machining cold-rolled or silver steel shafts
You are wanting to increase output of many parts the same
Machining steel faster:
Get an Auto-feed facility for the lathe
Use an auto-close/opening chuck
If shaft is heavy, use moveable electric crane on rails above the lathe, to bring work in/out
Use better and sharper tool cutting tips
Use a higher turning speed
Use DC Motor to power the lathe, with controlled variable speed by computer
Run your lathe 24/7/365, using different operators, of course
If your finished work is extremely fine finish, it is sometimes faster to use 2 or 3 other lathes, to do the rough work, and have your best lathe to finish off to all required dimensions
Try and use better coolant, and more of it, pumped across the cutter tool and work area
Those are basic things, as I said, I have made some assumptions.
Advise further if you need it.
Kind Regards....
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