Abstract: The CNC lathe is a mechatronics equipment, which has a high degree of automation. In the CNC lathe, many advanced technologies such as automatic control and detection technology and computer technology are used. At present, the numerical control transformation of lathes has broad development space in China. Based on this, this article first introduces the characteristics of CNC lathes, studies the CNC transformation and design of ordinary lathes, and expounds the machining programming of CNC lathes in order to provide a certain reference for the transformation of lathes.