A universal lathe is a traditional, mechanically-controlled lathe that is operated by a skilled machinist. It uses hand wheels and levers to control the movement of the cutting tool and the workpiece, and it is typically limited to performing one operation at a time. A CNC (computer numerical control) lathe, on the other hand, is a lathe that is controlled by a computer program rather than a skilled machinist. The cutting tool and workpiece movement are controlled by the CNC system, which can execute a series of instructions programmed into it, allowing for automated and precise control of multiple operations.

The main difference between a universal lathe and a CNC lathe is the level of automation and precision that each is capable of. With a universal lathe, the machinist is required to manually control the cutting tool and workpiece movement, which can be more time-consuming and less precise than with a CNC lathe. With a CNC lathe, the cutting tool and workpiece movement are controlled by a computer program, which can execute a series of instructions with much greater speed and accuracy, allowing for more complex and efficient machining operations. Additionally, CNC Lathe machine have the ability to store multiple program, with that you can run multiple jobs with one set up, whereas universal lathe have less flexibility.