A CNC Swiss Lathe supports the workpiece close to the cutting point, which is how slender parts keep their diameter and straightness instead of deflecting away from the tool. The CNC Swiss Lathe described here is built with a bar feeder and parts catcher and specified for precision engineering firms. sliding head turning with a guide bushing and live tooling sits behind the numbers below, which are stated as delivered rather than as a best case.
The parts that matter most are the interfaces: bores, sealing faces, threads and mounting patterns. Those are held to ±0.005 mm, verified against the drawing, and recorded before anything is packed.
Specification
| Process | Sliding head turning with a guide bushing and live tooling |
|---|---|
| Material / configuration | a bar feeder and parts catcher |
| Size / capacity | diameter tolerance of ±0.005 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.005 mm |
| Surface finish | turned finish, Ra 0.4–0.8 µm |
| Application | cnc swiss lathe for precision engineering firms |
| Inspection | Dimensional report, material certificate, first article report on request |
| Lead time | 7–15 working days for samples, 3–4 weeks for production |
| Minimum order | 1 piece for prototypes, from 50 pieces for production pricing |
Manufacturing process
The operation sequence is decided before the first chip is cut: roughing to leave even stock, semi-finishing, then sliding head turning with a guide bushing and live tooling as the final operation. That order is what keeps ±0.005 mm stable as the batch runs and the machine warms up.
Material is purchased against a certificate and checked on receipt, so the composition is known before any cutting starts. Work in progress is identified by part number and operation, and the finished parts are deburred, cleaned and protected before they leave the machine area.
Typical applications
Most of the work supplied in this category falls into the following examples.
- Bone screws and orthopaedic pins.
- Connector pins and contacts.
- Micro shafts for instruments.
- Fuel injector components.
- Watch and instrument parts.
Quality control and documentation
Every batch is measured against the drawing with calibrated equipment, and results are recorded against the part number rather than kept on a scrap of paper.
Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1, dimensional reports and first article inspection reports are issued with the shipment where the application requires them. Calibration dates and measurement uncertainty are recorded alongside every result.
Ordering, lead time and packaging
Quotations are returned within one working day of a complete drawing package. Lead time is quoted from drawing approval, not from the date of enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
When is a Swiss lathe better than a conventional lathe?
When the length to diameter ratio exceeds about 4:1. The guide bushing supports the bar a few millimetres from the cut, so slender parts hold diameter where a chucking lathe would taper.
Can a part be completed in one cycle?
Usually yes. Live tooling, a C-axis and a sub-spindle allow back working, so turning, cross drilling, milling and parting off all happen before the part leaves the machine.
What file formats do you need for a quotation?
STEP or IGES for the 3D model and a PDF drawing with tolerances, material and surface finish called out. Native files from SolidWorks, Creo or Inventor are also accepted.
To discuss cnc swiss lathe requirements, send the model and the drawing with the quantities required. Feedback on manufacturability is given free of charge before any order is placed.
