Swiss-Type Machining

Bar-fed CNC Swiss-type lathes are the computer-controlled evolution of cam-actuated automatic screw machines. One common application of these versatile, sliding headstock machines was machining intricate watch components. Today, though, they are being used to produce a much more diverse array of parts for various industries. It’s the sliding headstock that separates Swiss-types from conventional lathes. With this, barstock is gripped by a collet and fed through a guide bushing and past a stationary turning tool. The guide bushing provides support at the point of the cut making Swiss-types well suited for parts with high length-to-diameter ratios such as medical bone screws. Swiss-types with a B-axis milling spindle essentially become a five-axis turn-mill with the bonus of a sliding headstock. Another recent development for Swiss-types is the addition of programmable lasers for cutting, welding and engraving.

Automation Breakthroughs Revolutionize Precision Machining for Complex Parts
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Automation Breakthroughs Revolutionize Precision Machining for Complex Parts

Marubeni Citizen-Cincom delivers custom solutions for the world’s most demanding precision manufacturing needs.

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Latest Swiss-Types Articles

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Swiss-Types

A Contract CNC Shop in Transition

Denver Precision Products is in a transitional mode in two respects: company leadership and adoption of new multifunction machining technology and processes.

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Micromachining

A History of Precision: The Invention and Evolution of Swiss-Style Machining

In the late 1800s, a new technology — Swiss-type machines — emerged to serve Switzerland’s growing watchmaking industry. Today, Swiss-machined parts are ubiquitous, and there’s a good reason for that: No other machining technology can produce tiny, complex components more efficiently or at higher quality.

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Mazak Custom Machining Solutions Feature Automation, Digitalization

IMTS 2024: Mazak features advanced machining solutions designed to boost productivity in automation, multitasking capabilities and machine tool technology. 

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Swiss-Types

Shop Optimizes its Swiss-Turning Flexibility

Paramount Machine uses various Swiss-type lathes, some with a B axis, to produce parts more effectively than it did on conventional chucker lathes. Today, nearly every job under 1.5 inches in diameter runs across those machines even if the batch size is a mere 5 pieces.

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Swiss-Types

Stories of Swiss First Additions

A handful of shops share their stories about the how’s and why’s of adding their first Swiss-type CNC turning centers.

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Swiss-Types

Moldmaker Finds Value in Swiss-Type Machining

This multifaceted manufacturer has added CNC sliding-headstock turning technology to complement its established mold tooling production and new injection molding capabilities as it continues to pursue complex medical work along a vertically integrated path.

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Horn USA
Techspex
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Marubeni Citizen CNC

Latest Products

Swiss-Types

PSZ Turn Modular Quick-Change System for Swiss Lathes

Sumitomo’s PSZ Turn system provides good ergonomics and efficiency by offering a fast, reliable process and convenient cassette changes.

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Swiss-Types

Tsugami America Lathe Enables Simultaneous Machining

Eastec 2023: The BW129Z Swiss-type lathe uses a three-path control system and dual independent-gang slides to reduce cycle time and produce complex parts quickly.

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PMTS

Syncrex Swiss-Styles for Fast Tool Setup, Easy Programming

PMTS 2023: The Mazak Syncrex series comes in four bar capacities, ranging from 20 to 38 mm, and is available in 7-, 8- and 9-axis configurations as well as a 9-axis model with full B-axis contouring.

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PMTS

Cubic’s Swiss-Type for Simultaneous Front/Back Machining

PMTS 2023: The SG-20 makes it possible to complete a wide variety of tooling jobs at one time.

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PMTS

Tsugami Sliding Headstock Lathe for Complex Parts

PMTS 2023: The SS38MH-5AX features a powerful 20,000-rpm, 10-hp tool spindle capable of turning and milling.

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PMTS

Rego-Fix Through-Coolant System for Swiss-Type Machines

PMTS 2023: The reCool RCR/ERM system provides all the benefits of reCool technology to Swiss-type machines while also enabling the use of emulsion or pure oil coolants.

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Featured Posts

Measurement

Does a Scanning Probe Make Sense on a Swiss-Type?

Swiss-types have limited tooling capacity, but there can be advantages to giving up some of that capacity to take advantage of a touch probe — in fact, a scanning probe — to enable in-process part measurements.

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Swiss-Types

Video Tech Brief: Anatomy of a Robust, High-Production Swiss-Type Lathe

This Swiss-type is equipped with a total of 52 tools, including a 40-tool magazine, 10 tools on the back tool post, and an optional 2 tools on the deep hole drill holder.

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Swiss-Types

Video Tech Brief: “Doubling Down” on B-Axis Capability in a Swiss-Type

This Swiss-type lathe has two programmable B-axis units and the capacity for two individual thread whirling units.

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Swiss-Types

Swiss Rejuvenation Doubles Shop Productivity

As he progressed to CNC Swiss lead and later to his current position as CNC Swiss production supervisor, Darrin Baker helped the Swiss department at Liberty Precision double its productivity, according to his nominator.

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Swiss-Types

Video Tech Brief: Swiss-type Lathe Features High-Damping Composite Casting

A rigid casting design and chip control technology are among the various benefits of this Swiss-type lathe.

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Automation

Pursuit of Parts Collector Spearheads New Enterprise

While searching for a small parts accumulator for Swiss-type lathes, this machine shop CEO not only found what he was looking for but also discovered how to become a distributor for the unique product.

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Horn USA
SolidCAM