Lathe center
（重定向自Lathe centre）
![Dead center (The conical piece) mounted in the spindle of a lathe and being used to support a workpiece being driven by a carrier setup](/Images/godic/202501/23/LatheDrivePlate-carriers4941.jpg")
![Revolving center (top) Dead center with carbide insert (bottom)](/Images/godic/202501/23/CenterLiveDead4941.jpg")
A lathe centre, often shortened to centre, is a tool that has been ground to a point to accurately position a workpiece on an axis. They usually have an included angle of 60°, but in heavy machining situations an angle of 75° is used.
The primary use of a centre is to ensure concentric work is produced; this allows the workpiece to be transferred between machining (or inspection) operations without any loss of accuracy. A part may be turned in a lathe, sent off for hardening and tempering and then ground between centers in a cylindrical grinder. The preservation of concentricity between the turning and grinding operations is crucial for quality work.