- If you’re looking for a machining solution for precision shaft parts, don’t miss out on Swiss-type lathe machining. This process has long been a favorite in industries like medical, aerospace, and automotive, thanks to its strengths of “one-time forming, high precision, and high efficiency.” Let’s give you a quick overview in just a few minutes.
Simply put, Swiss-type lathe machining is a process where “the workpiece moves with the spindle (hence the term ‘Swiss-type’), while fixed tools perform the cutting.” Compared to traditional lathes, its biggest advantage is no need for multiple setups: a single bar stock is fed into the spindle, and processes like turning, milling, drilling, and tapping can all be completed in one go. Even for slender shafts with an aspect ratio (length-to-diameter) of ≥20:1 (such as medical catheters) or parts with complex threads/small holes (such as automotive valve cores), it can still achieve stable machining.
Its key highlights are straightforward:
• Stable precision: It can reach a micron-level precision of ±0.001mm, meeting the strict tolerances required for parts like medical titanium alloy bone screws and aerospace precision shafts.
• High efficiency: Multiple processes are carried out simultaneously, making it 2-5 times faster than traditional lathes. For mass production, it also supports automatic material feeding and sorting, saving both labor and time.
• Wide application range: From small electronic connector pins to large aerospace engine components, it can handle almost all precision shaft parts.
Today’s manufacturing industry competes on “precision + efficiency,” and Swiss-type lathe machining excels at both. If your parts require high precision and fast delivery, give it a try—after all, a good process makes high-quality products much easier to produce.