The use of a screw machine or automated lathe to machine small, turned parts for industrial applications has been standard for decades. Made of a hollow spindle and cams, a screw machine removes material from a block of metal to create multiple small parts.
Screw machines are used today to make parts for IT, automotive, and consumer electronics products. Because they are flexible and can handle most types of metals, screw machines have a wide range of uses.
Types of Swiss Screw Machines
There are two main types of Swiss screw machines in use today.
Automatic Swiss screw machines use a disc cam to rotate tools toward the workpiece area, which is held in place with several spindle collets positioned side by side. Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machines use a CNC unit to control the tools, which allows parts to be made to exacting specifications. CNC Swiss screw machines, which are also known as CNC lathes, can work on multiple axes for fast results.
Screw machines, both automatic and CNC driven, can take some time to set up properly, but are cost effective when producing multiple parts. They are typically not an ideal solution for one-off prototyping. However, because of the wide variety of metals they work with, they are a flexible choice when creating parts from different types of metals.
Benefits of the CNC Swiss Machine
CNC machining offers a level of control that may not be possible with an automatic Swiss screw machine. The CNC unit permits the use of tools on multiple axes, allowing more sets of tooling for both turning and milling. Cycle times are reduced and more detailed parts can be created with the use of CNC abilities.
Many operations can be performed in a shorter period of time using a CNC Swiss machine. A CNC Swiss screw machine can rotate a part at up to 10,000 RPM with an accuracy level of 0.0002 to 0.0005 inches. In addition to being more precise, a CNC Swiss lathe reduces waste and gives more flexibility when machining a specific part.
Using Automatic and CNC Swiss Screw Machines
Both automatic and CNC Swiss screw machines cost effectively produce multiple small, turned parts for a variety of industries. Hogge Precision uses numerous Swiss-style turning lathes to create small diameter parts from most types of metal. We can run metal bar stock up to 12 ft. long and 1.25 in. in diameter and meet tolerances as tight as ±.0005 in.
Hogge Precision serves a wide range of industries including defense, energy, medical, power distribution, and other industrial applications. Parts we have successfully manufactured using swiss style screw-machining include brass, aluminum, and stainless steel components for IT and Electrical; brass and stainless steel components for Medical; and aluminum and stainless steel products for the Automotive industries.
We use a certified ISO quality management system to guarantee that our parts exceed your specifications. If you need parts created that are cost effective and delivered quickly, we will meet your requirements. Contact us today for all your swiss and screw machining needs.