What Is Swiss CNC Machining?
High Precision Machining for Intricate Parts
Swiss CNC Machining, also known as Swiss turning, is a highly precise and efficient manufacturing process that uses specialized CNC lathes to create small, intricate, and often slender parts. Originally developed in Switzerland for the watchmaking industry’s delicate components, this method excels at achieving exceptional accuracy.
How it Works:
- Sliding Headstock & Guide Bushing: Unlike traditional lathes, Swiss machines feature a sliding headstock that moves the bar stock through a guide bushing. This bushing continuously supports the workpiece directly at the cutting point.
- Stationary Tools & Close Cutting: Cutting tools remain stationary while the workpiece moves. Machining occurs extremely close to the guide bushing, minimizing deflection and vibration, especially for long, thin parts, ensuring high precision.
- Simultaneous Operations: Many Swiss CNC lathes offer multiple axes, allowing for simultaneous turning, milling, drilling, and threading in a single setup, reducing cycle times.
- Automatic Bar Feeding: Integrated automatic bar feeders enable continuous, unattended operation, ideal for high-volume production.
Benefits:
- Exceptional Precision: Guide bushing support results in extremely tight tolerances, often as precise as ±0.0002 inches.
- Efficiency for Complex Parts: Simultaneous operations and multi-axis capabilities streamline the production of intricate components.
- Superior Surface Finish: Minimized deflection and vibrations lead to smoother surfaces, potentially eliminating secondary finishing.
- Broad Industry Application: Widely used in medical, aerospace, defense, firearms, electronics, automotive and other industries for high-precision components.
In summary, Swiss CNC machining is an invaluable method for producing high volumes of small, complex parts with exceptional precision.
• Read our Brief History of Swiss CNC Machining