Machine tools and lathes are two types of equipment commonly used in the manufacturing industry. They have some differences in processing workpieces. The following is a brief description of the difference between machine tools and lathes:

1. Definition: Machine tools refer to a type of mechanical equipment used to process metal or other hard materials, including lathes, milling machines, drilling machines, grinders, etc. A lathe is a type of machine tool that is specially used for processing rotationally symmetrical workpieces.
2. Function: Machine tool is a broad concept, including many different types of mechanical equipment, which can be used for cutting, grinding, milling, drilling and other processing operations. The lathe is a specific equipment in the machine tool, mainly used for processing rotating workpieces, such as rotating shafts, threads, discs, etc.
3. Working principle: The processing principle of machine tools is to use cutting tools to cut the workpiece to form the required shape and size. The lathe uses the relative movement of the rotating workpiece and the tool to perform cutting operations on the workpiece. Typically, the workpiece is clamped on the spindle and the tool cuts on the workpiece.
4. Scope of application: Machine tools and lathes are widely used in the field of metal processing, but machine tools have a wider range of applications. Machine tools can process workpieces of different materials, including metal, plastic, wood, etc., while lathes are mainly used for rotational processing of metal workpieces.
5. Processing characteristics: The machine tool can perform many different forms of processing, such as plane processing, curved surface processing, thread processing, etc., and can realize complex parts processing. Lathes are mainly used for processing rotationally symmetrical workpieces, such as shaft parts, threaded parts, etc. The lathe has the characteristics of rotational symmetry during the machining process.

In general, machine tool is a broad term that includes many types of mechanical equipment, while lathe is a type of machine tool that is mainly used for processing rotationally symmetrical workpieces. Machine tools can perform many forms of processing, while lathes are specialized for processing rotating workpieces.