Swiss machining is a part manufacturing process commonly used for tiny parts such as watch components. It originated in the Swiss watch industry, but is now applicable in various industries worldwide. This article discusses in detail the process, its mechanism, characteristics, comparison with other manufacturing processes and general use in part manufacturing.
Swiss machining is a set of manufacturing techniques, such as Swiss turning and milling, that use specialised tool cutting machines to convert metal stock into the required part. A Swiss machine is used to produce very small parts with very tight tolerances.
The first Swiss machines are traditional, meaning they don’t have a computer control centre. However, there is now a Swiss-designed CNC machine. Therefore, some people use the term “Swiss CNC machining” to describe its use in the CNC industry.
Swiss machines go by many names, such as the Swiss screw machine and the Swiss lathe. Their unique design makes them highly accurate and precise.
The machine has multiple axes and differs from conventional CNC machining in its ability to rotate and move back and forth along the Z axis. The operator feeds the bar stock through the guide bush (already mounted with the cutting tools).
Because of this arrangement, the guide bush provides strong support regardless of the length of the workpiece. The force is applied exactly where the material exits the sleeve, minimising tool action on the part and increasing accuracy. It also allows several operations to be carried out at the same time.
Swiss precision machining has some advantages that make it more suitable for certain applications than other part manufacturing techniques. In most cases, industries prefer to use the process because of its high accuracy, level of technology and standard features. Here are some of the benefits you can gain by choosing this process:
Swiss machines have multiple axes that allow you to perform multiple operations simultaneously. As a result, they are more efficient than other lathes, regardless of the complexity of the part design.
They also have a high level of accuracy, making them suitable for producing parts with complex shapes and tight tolerances. In addition, their mechanism of action ensures that the tool force does not affect the workpiece, which improves precision.
The original use of the machining process is for small parts such as electronic parts and a watch. While this has been improved through technological advances, the technological advances extend its suitability to small parts. In addition, a high degree of automation reduces the need for human intervention or control.
The main difference between Swiss and traditional machining is that traditionally machined parts are usually not accurate compared to Swiss machined parts. Swiss machines have a high level of precision, whereas traditional machining relies more on the steady hand and mind of the operator. As a result, accuracy and repeatability are low.
Another difference between the two machining methods is that conventional machining is more suitable for machining regular parts, while Swiss machining is effective for handling complex designs.
Swiss CNC machining is one of the most productive machining techniques for machining parts. In addition to its low cycle time, it is suitable for machining the most complex Swiss-type parts. There are other reasons why you should consider Swiss CNC machining over traditional machining, which are discussed below:
CNC Swiss machining is a better choice than traditional machining because of its suitability for complex designs. The process encourages the use of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, making it suitable for complicated parts. The result is an improvement in product design and a reduction in errors due to less human involvement.
Swiss precision machining has special features such as the on-board automatic setting probe and a high-damping composite casting (HDCC), which reduce the set-up time for the cutting tool.
DfM is a part of part manufacturing that involves optimising the product design to make it easier to manufacture and assemble. The introduction of CNC to Swiss machining will facilitate an effective and efficient manufacturing process compared to the conventional method.
Industries use machining to produce and customise parts to meet standard requirements. Meanwhile, to get the best machined parts for your industrial needs, you can choose precision machining.
More importantly, there are various precision machining services available and you can trust PROTO MFG to provide you with the best service. Just so you know, we offer precision milling, precision turning, finishing and other machining services. Our experienced engineers will carry out a DFM analysis of your project to find the right solutions to achieve a good result. We also offer 100% part inspection and competitive pricing.
So, for your projects that require precision machining, contact PROTO MFG for a quote and DfM feedback.
