With the fabrication and machining world expanding at an unbelievable pace, the world of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) is becoming an unlikely partner. Hand-held machining tools have paved the way for sophisticated CNC equipment, which have brought more versatility, efficiency, and accuracy.  One trailblazer tool that is revolutionizing how fabrication shops and companies are manufacturing critical components is the CNC Swiss Screw Machine. As the name insinuates, the machining method originated from Switzerland. However, this automated turning system has become almost a household piece of machinery in machine shops all around the globe as a result of its profound capability of handling both CNC milling and turning. Are you tired of sluggish processes, expensive labor costs, bulk wastes, and frequent errors? Then CNC screw machining may be the solution to your problems. 

How CNC Screw Machining Works

The CNC Swiss screw machine operates on the same principle as the automatic Swiss screw machine, apart from the factSwiss_Parts that it is controlled by computer software. The original Swiss screw machine boasted a disc cam that rotated and positioned the various tools around the work-piece, which is held in position by a rotating collet. Besides moving the sets of devices in a radial motion, the disc cam also fed the material through the rotating collet/headstock position to accommodate workpiece lengths as the tools attacked the diameter and ends.   

The CNC Swiss-type lathes can come with an additional sets of tooling, adding to its efficiency and swiftness. These additional tools can not only be radial or end working tools but can also accommodate back working tools on a ‘pick-off’ sub spindle. Swiss machining delivers crisp and smoothly finished items due to the tight, close distance between the work-piece, collet, and tools, in effect eliminating the part flexing inherently found in normal lathe turning operations.

Advantages of Using a Screw Machining

Precision and Efficiency
CNC Swiss machining delivers unmatched precision and consistency when it comes to drilling and milling. The sturdy, close-quarter between the collet, work-piece, and the rest of the tools stiffens the part and helps the CNC Swiss machine to deliver more accurate and precise products. Since the device requires less fixturing at various operations, it facilitates swift activities and superior work-piece quality.

Extensive Tool Capabilities
The CNC Swiss lathes boast an extensive tooling area, of both static (or fixed tools) and radial or live tools like saw blades, cross drill/mill etc. meaning that they are flexible enough to perform a variety of operations, including making even the most complicated angles and shapes. While the number of tools may depend on the type and model of the machine, the CNC Swiss machines can hold up to 20 tools. Some of the high-end models, such as the 5-axis CNC machine, may even feature a plethora of tool changers for an almost unlimited variety of tooling available to the turning and milling process.

Automation
Due to the high efficiency of CNC Swiss Style Turning Machining involves the automation of these turning systems is a necessity. NOt only is material feeding a necessity but new bar loading and finished part removal is also a critical factor as parts are completed in a matter of mere seconds when these systems are run at peak efficiency. This means that computer-controlled Swiss screw machines can perform massive projects with a single operator, leaving the rest of your workers to focus on other mission-critical tasks. Automation enables you to make repeated designs with efficiency and accuracy and produce premium quality and consistent work in an accelerated timeline. Things such as tool selection, rotation speed, and tool movement are all programmed ahead of time to allow the machine to work autonomously with any human input and new material is introduced while completed parts are removed all automatically.

Safety
Since most of the processes and operations in CNC Swiss screw machining are automated, human risks are almost out of the picture. Unlike traditional pieces of equipment that require human input at all levels, the Swiss screw machine is operated with the help of computer software and specialized work holding, material feeding and part removal tooling. This means that in the case of mechanical or systematic issues, the likelihood of any employee getting injured is minimized. 

Speed of Production 
Unlike manually-operated screw machines that require frequent stops for adjustments for tool wear or part reloading, a CNC screw machine can operate 24/7 without any breaks automatically calculating for tool wear and even switching to alternate new tools as necessary. This can lead to improved production and save you valuable time. Additionally, unlike human-operated machines that don't make lots of rotations, CNC Swiss machines can rotate a part at 10,000 RPM or more, with accuracy levels of 0.0002 to 0.0005 inches being common.

Final Verdict
CNC Swiss screw machines are fantastic to work with, and their ability to produce small, complex parts and the fact that they are accurate, versatile, and swift make them a must-have tool for any shop. And although adopting CNC Swiss Style Machining seems like a significant investment, the advantage it offers in reducing per-part cost makes up for the investment by improving efficiency, safety, and output. Since these tools are evolving every single day, it is up to you to add the capability of CNC Swiss Style machining right now and have the liberty to produce complex and high-precise parts faster.

At Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales we staff experts in CNC Swiss Screw Machining that can assist you in makeing the right machine choice for your application and budget. Call us at 813-444-4555 today or visit the Contact Us page to send your application to our turning experts.

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