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A Swiss lathe, also known as a Swiss turning center or Swiss automatic lathe, uses a recessed collet behind a guide bushing for additional support and better tolerances. There are mechanical and CNC Swiss lathes, with the latter offering precision and increased functionality. However, a disadvantage is the longer remnants of bars.
A Swiss lathe is a style of lathe in which the collet, or holding mechanism, is recessed behind a guide bushing. Swiss lathes are also known as Swiss turning centers, Swiss automatic lathes or Swiss screw machines. A Swiss lathe differs from a traditional lathe in that the collet, which holds the bar, is not directly exposed to the tools and bed of the lathe. This type of configuration gives this machine tool some advantages over a traditional lathe.
The Swiss lathe’s advantages over a traditional lathe are largely because it uses a drive bushing. The purpose of the drive bushing is to provide additional support to the stock material as the part is being turned or machined. The guide bushing fits snugly, but not tightly, around the bar material. By supporting the bar material, a drive bushing works similar to a steady rest on the carriage of a traditional lathe.
Swiss-style lathes generally maintain better tolerances on parts because turning operations are performed in close proximity to this drive bushing. The drive bushing provides rigidity to the turned part because only a minimal amount of material is exposed after leaving the bushing until the turning tools are engaged. With the stiffness that the drive bush imparts to the blank, these machines are particularly suited to maintaining tight tolerances. Another benefit is the Swiss-style lathe’s ability to turn small diameter parts or parts with large length-to-diameter ratios. Tool vibrations are generally minimized due to the juxtaposition tool/guide bushing.
There are two types of Swiss lathe machine tools. Mechanical lathes use cams, gear systems, and mechanical linkages to move the headstock and manipulate the collet and tools. These types of machines have been replaced in many places by computer numerically controlled (CNC) Swiss lathes.
A CNC Swiss lathe will use many computer controlled components. Many of these components can be adjusted while the machine is running. The advantage of a CNC Swiss lathe is that the precision of a traditional machine is maintained while the functionality of the machine is increased with the addition of a computer and its controlled components.
Modern types of CNC Swiss lathes might include multiple axes and live secondary tools, live tailstocks, or secondary spindles. Depending on the desired part configuration, some Swiss lathes have the ability to turn and machine complete parts. This eliminates the need for secondary operations.
A disadvantage of all Swiss lathes is the remnants of bars. These are generally longer than those found on a traditional type lathe and would generally be considered scrap. The long residues are a result of the configuration of the gripper and guide bushing in this machine.
