CNC
Swiss Machining
Swiss
Machining - History
In
the 1800s, the Swiss developed an automatic screw
machine specifically to manufacture watch parts.
These machines were designed for small or miniature
parts, but they were also excellent for producing
long, slender parts. Naturally, they were adopted
for use in manufacturing parts for many
other industries, particularly dental and medical.
Although automatic screw machines still have a
valuable place in modern machining, some jobs
are so complex that they require multiple operations
(cross-drilling, tapping, milling, etc.). In the
past, this would require multiple machines and
resulted in less uniformity, longer production
times, and higher costs.
The need
for do-it-all machines lead to the development
of CNC Swiss
machines. CNC Swiss machines perform the jobs
of several machines (milling and turning), and
many CNC Swiss machines
are able to produce complex parts complete in
a single operation. Also,
since many operations are performed simultaneously
rather than sequentially, production time is lessened.
Set-ups generally take a few hours versus a few
days for conventional automatic screw machines;
this makes it more practical and cost-effective
for prototype work and small-lot production. In
addition, tooling is often insert-type and can
be quickly installed and more easily maintained.
Computer controlled programming translates into
tighter tolerances, uniform parts lot to lot,
and finer surface finishes (important for cosmetic
parts).
Machine Technology,
Inc. operates Citizen CNC Swiss
machines. Two machines are 11-Axis, and the rest
are 7-Axis. We can accommodate
up to 1-1/4” Ø bar stock (the largest
size that can currently be run in a CNC Swiss
machine). Most shops that have CNC Swiss machines
have only 5 or 6-Axis machines, with a maximum
turning capacity of 1” Ø or less.
Having more axes and higher turning capacity means
that we can manufacture extremely complex parts
in one operation, whereas 5 or 6-Axis machines
are limited on the size and complexity of the
parts that can be produced in one operation. Each
of our CNC Swiss machines is also equipped with
an automatic bar loader. Although we operate nearly
24 hours
a day, this feature allows carefully qualified
jobs to run without constant attention during
work hours and to run attended after hours. The
difference is clear: Machine Technology, Inc.
can manufacture everything from small parts to
the largest, most complex parts in quantities
from one to millions. This translates into uniform,
high-quality, high-capacity production with better
lead time and better prices.
Machine
Technology Inc.’s CNC Swiss Machines:
(1)
Citizen C-16 - Swiss Machine |
|
Contouring, Threading,
Milling, Slotting, Cross Work (Drilling,
Off- center Drilling, Tapping, Reaming),
End Work, Boring
11-Axis, 5/8” Ø turning capacity
x 7.87” long per chucking
Simultaneous front drilling, outer diameter
machining, and back drilling
22 live and stationary tools
Iemca Automatic Bar Loader |
(1)
Citizen M-20 - Swiss
Machine |
|
Contouring, Threading,
Milling, Slotting, Cross Work (Drilling,
Off-center Drilling, Tapping, Reaming),
End Work, Boring
11-Axis, 3/4” Ø turning capacity
x 12.5” long per chucking
Simultaneous front drilling, outer diameter
machining, and back drilling
24 live and stationary tools
Iemca Automatic Bar Loader |
(1)
Citizen M-32 - Swiss
Machine |
|
Contouring, Threading,
Milling, Slotting, Cross Work (Drilling,
Off- center Drilling, Tapping, Reaming),
End Work, Boring
11-Axis, 1-1/4” Ø turning
capacity x 12.5” long per chucking
Simultaneous front drilling, outer diameter
machining, and back drilling
24 live and stationary tools
Iemca Automatic Bar Loader |
(3)
Citizen L-25 - Swiss
Machine |
|
Contouring, Threading,
Milling, Slotting, Cross Work (Drilling,
Off- center Drilling, Tapping, Reaming),
End Work, Boring
7-Axis, 1” Ø turning capacity
x 10” long per chucking
Simultaneous front drilling, outer diameter
machining, and back drilling
20 live and stationary tools
Iemca Automatic Bar Loader |
“Technology
feeds on itself; technology makes more technology possible.”
-
Alvin Toffler
|