The tool slide on a tracer lathe is guided by a sensitive, hydraulically actuated stylus that follows an accurate template. The template can be an accurate profile on a thin plate or a finish-turned part. The copy unit is easy to set-up and is designed as an automatic tracing lathe. There are optional accessories for use on tracing lathes. They include toolheads, cross slides for operations , such as facing, grooving and chamfering.