Swiss Turning for Medical Long slender parts typical of those for medical and even
automotive applications account, however, for only about one-third of all the small complex parts that are available to be machined on CNC automatic lathes. The balance of these parts are short and can be machined closer to the headstock without either a guide bushing for support or ground or precision-drawn barstock needed with a guide bushing for consistent machining results. Most important, these small precision parts fit into the work envelope of CNC automatic lathes and benefit from the speedy cycle times, quality sur- face finishes and quick changeovers that are characteristic of Swiss machining technology.
Sizing Up Swiss Machine Advantages
Job shops are increasingly becoming aware of the op- portunities that CNC automatic lathe machining offers. Key considerations in making a machine selection include the complexity of parts, tolerances expected, and production
Programming and setup, once thought to be barriers to adopting Swiss-style machining, have all but been elimi- nated by advances in software and machine design. What builder CNC controls and software can’t supply is often, like 3D modeling and simulation, provided by third-party software. Machines can be equipped with readily available tools supplying a variety of machining capabilities including angular drilling (B-axis), deep-hole drilling, milling, tapping, thread whirling, and hobbing, high-pressure coolant systems, mist col- lectors, and other important productivity enhancing devices. CNC automatic lathes with powerful
main and subspindles and a mix of live and fixed front and back-working tools provide fast cycle times, dropping parts off complete. Standard tooling is readily available from suppliers today, making setup and changeover quick and easy compared with cam-driven screw ma- chines. No grinding form tools are need- ed for these machines. With the variety of precision-engineered parts available for machining on Swiss-style machines, it’s understandable why so many of the major machine builders offer variations of the technology with or without guide bushings and sliding headstock. Another group of machine builders have devel-
54
ManufacturingEngineeringMedia.com | May 2013
volume required. Swiss-style machine trends include be- ing able to put multiple tools in the cut simultaneously using quick-change gang-tooling slides or multiple turrets. In either case, using turret or gang-style tooling, Swiss machines can be tooled up with enough tools for untended machining of the most complex parts and the toughest materials.
“The distinguishing characteristic of a Swiss-style turning machine is the sliding headstock that feeds bar stock through a guide bushing.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184