Swiss Lathe Guide
What Is a Swiss lathe?
A Swiss lathe is also called Swiss-type Lathe, which is a variety of turning machines so sometimes it is referred to as Swiss machine. This type of turning machine feeds the stock through a guide bushing unit. This indicates that, the outer diameter turning tool can cut the stock near the bushing. Based on this advantage near the point of support, no matter how long the workpiece it is the work can be achieved. The machine feeds the work out of the spindle and past the tool as it works. This mechanism makes the CNC Swiss lathe particularly effective for long and slender turned parts.
How Does a Swiss Lathe Work?
During the operation, the chuck of Swiss lathe holds the workpiece with a collet and a guide bushing unit. The collet locates behind the guide bushing, and the cutting tools sit in front of the guide bushing. Guide bushing is often designed as holding the stationary on the Z-axis. The design is similar to conventional lathe machines as the workpieces are clamped firmly on the chuck unit(s) for turning process.
Today, most CNC based Swiss machines use one or two spindles plus one or two back spindles. The main spindle(s) are utilized with the guide bushing for the main machining operation tasks, while the secondary spindle is located behind the parts, and is aligned often on the Z axis. During a simple operation, it will pick up the part when it is cut off, and then it will accept it for second operation rounds. After that, it will mechanically eject it into a container, so that there is no need for manual operation process.
However, what are different from conventional lathes are the uses of the guide bushing together with the collet. Most Swiss lathe machines are developed for the processing of small workpieces with small diameters within especially a short period of time. The diameter value and the tolerance can be of micrometers, and often the ordinary Swiss lathe holds the tolerance as a few tenths of a thousandth of an inch. For this level of tolerance to be achieved within a relatively short period of time, it is the Swiss lathes win out compared with ordinary lathe machines.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Swiss Lathe?
For pursuing the manufacturing requirements and meeting the need of customers, Swiss lathe is sometimes preferred over the conventional type. Although its conventional counterpart has already had impressive features when CNC technology is employed, there are still other benefits of choosing a Swiss lathe instead, including:
● Versatility
Based on the main feature this type has, which is the movable headstock, the Swiss lathe is relatively more versatile than others. On the one hand, when the headstock moves forward and backward during operation, the tools are allowed to machine on more parts from different angles. This means this device is able to deal with more intricate parts according to the requirements of customers with ease.
On the other hand, Swiss lathe can also perform the basic machining techniques like that on the conventional type. It is the flexible transition of machining techniques that makes the Swiss-type lathe versatile.
● Optimal precision
Another benefit of using a Swiss lathe is the optimal precision it can achieve. Swiss lathe leaves tight tolerance because it ensures the closest contact between the workpiece and tool. When a workpiece is machined on this device, it keeps the shortest distance in the interval of workpiece and tool, which lowers the possibility of tool deviation. This results in fewer chances of product deformation. In other words, the Swiss lathe can promise optimal precision during the manufacturing process.
● High productivity
Since the headstock on Swiss-type lathe is able to move the workpiece along the z-axis, it shortens the cycle time of the production. On the conventional type of lathe, it is required to suspend the operation and adjust the setting of the workpiece when different angles of machining directions are needed. While the machine keeps working when the workpiece moves together with the headstock. This feature helps enhances the working efficiency as well as the productivity of this machine. If you are looking for a CNC lathe that can meet versatility, precision, and productivity at the same time, Swiss lathe is the perfect choice among all!
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