When deciding on the design and manufacturing processes for new products, companies must consider factors like speed of production, part manufacturability, and quality. Today, companies have access to more machining options than ever, and CNC Swiss lathe machines—also called CNC Swiss screw machines—are one of the best options available, especially for manufacturing small parts. If your next project involves small components, three of your most important considerations are precision, material efficiency, and manufacturing speed.

Learn how CNC Swiss lathe machining outperforms other machining methods for small-part manufacturing. 

Precision

CNC Swiss lathe machines are incredibly precise, even when it comes to very small and complex components. The machines hold the workpiece with a guide bushing, which offers a secure grip and allows the cutting tools to hit the workpiece at exactly the right location and angle. Manufacturers use these machines to produce components that need to meet extremely tight tolerances and exacting design parameters. 

In CNC Swiss lathe machines, CNC (computer numerical control) technology translates design files into a set of machining instructions. The live tooling performs the instructions precisely every time, resulting in little variability and zero risk of human error. Swiss lathes also feature sub-spindles, which allow the machine to make more complex, multi-feature parts in a single operation.

Intricate parts with complex geometries used to require tremendous amounts of time and effort to create without errors. Today, virtually every industry can rely on CNC Swiss lathe machining to complete various orders. It’s especially useful in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries, all of which require high-precision components. 

Material Efficiency

High material efficiency is a goal for most manufacturers and their customers. Swiss CNC lathe machines are ideal for minimizing material waste, which reduces costs and improves eco-friendliness. Swiss machining uses rigid tooling and guide bushings to minimize deflection. These features work together to create smooth finishes and tight tolerances in any type of machining operation, such as drilling, knurling, milling, tapping, or turning. This machining precision results in less overall material utilization per unit.

Speed

Another key strength of Swiss CNC lathes is speed. Manufacturers can complete even high-volume orders with remarkable turnaround times. The largely automated process creates fewer setup delays, less time devoted to human or manual operations, and fast cycle times. Four crucial elements that contribute to the high production speeds are:

  • Continuous Bar-Feeding With Minimal Interruptions: With CNC Swiss machining, manufacturers continuously feed long bars of material into the machine. They don’t need to spend time loading or unloading separate pieces, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. 
  • Fast Spindle Speeds and Cycles: Swiss lathe spindles can achieve rates of 10,000 to 15,000 RPM. This is approximately three times faster than conventional CNC lathes. These increased speeds result in accelerated machining processes and production cycles.
  • Multi-Axis Machining: Many CNC Swiss lathes feature multiple axes. This means the lathe can conduct multiple cutting motions on a workpiece at once, further streamlining the production process. 
  • Reduced Setup Times Every new job requires a program written for how the machine will produce the various features on the part. Every subsequent production run will use that same program, reducing the time to production. Spending less time on setup, enables faster transitions between different projects.

CNC Swiss Lathe Machining From Pioneer Service Inc.

CNC lathes for small parts offer several key advantages that make production faster, easier, less wasteful, and more reliable. At Pioneer Service Inc., we specialize in providing high-quality machining services that result in high-precision parts for various critical industries. Reach out to us today to learn how our manufacturing services can help with your next project.