Hillary Machinery supplies STAR Swiss CNC lathes and Swiss-type turning centers for high-precision production of small-diameter, complex and long slender parts. STAR Swiss-type automatic lathes combine sliding-headstock turning with multi-axis machining capabilities that can reduce setups and produce complex components complete in a single machining cycle.
Swiss CNC lathes, also known as Swiss-type turning centers or Swiss-type automatic lathes, are designed for high-precision production of small-diameter, complex and often long or slender components.
Hillary Machinery offers STAR Swiss CNC machines for manufacturers requiring precision, productivity and the ability to perform multiple machining operations in a single setup.
A Swiss-type CNC lathe uses a sliding headstock that feeds bar stock through a guide bushing positioned close to the cutting tools. Supporting the material near the cutting point can reduce workpiece deflection and provide excellent control when machining long, slender or small-diameter components.
Modern Swiss CNC machines can combine turning, drilling, milling, cross-working, back-working and other operations within one automated machining cycle.
On a conventional fixed-headstock CNC lathe, the workpiece is held primarily by the chuck or collet while cutting tools move into position.
On a traditional Swiss-type machine, bar stock moves longitudinally through a guide bushing as the sliding headstock feeds the material past the cutting tools. The cutting action occurs close to the guide bushing, minimizing the unsupported length of material.
This design can provide significant advantages when machining components where workpiece deflection would otherwise make dimensional control difficult.
Hillary Machinery offers STAR Swiss CNC machine tools across a broad range of diameters and machining configurations.
STAR Swiss-type automatic lathes are designed for precision production and are available with combinations of main and sub-spindles, live tooling, multiple tool stations and multi-axis machining capability.
Explore STAR Swiss CNC Machines
Hillary Machinery's current STAR Swiss lineup includes machines from several STAR product families, providing solutions for different part diameters, complexity levels and production requirements.
One of the primary advantages of modern Swiss CNC machining is the ability to perform multiple operations without repeatedly moving the workpiece between separate machines.
Depending on machine configuration, operations can include:
The guide-bushing design of a Swiss-type lathe can provide an important advantage when machining long parts with relatively small diameters.
Because the workpiece is supported close to the cutting tool, the unsupported length of material can be minimized, helping control deflection and vibration during machining.
Swiss machines are particularly well suited for precision components with relatively small diameters, tight tolerances and complex features.
The combination of precision workholding, guide-bushing support and multiple machining tools makes Swiss turning especially valuable for high-volume production of detailed components.
Many modern Swiss CNC machines incorporate a sub-spindle that can receive the component from the main spindle and perform additional machining on the opposite end of the part.
This capability can reduce secondary operations and allow a complex component to leave the machine substantially or completely finished.
Live tooling expands a Swiss lathe beyond conventional turning. Depending on machine configuration, powered tools can perform milling, drilling, tapping and other operations while the part remains within the machine.
This ability to combine turning and milling can reduce setups, work-in-process and the need to transfer parts to separate machining centers.
Conventional CNC lathes are extremely effective for a broad range of turned components and generally hold the workpiece from a fixed headstock.
A Swiss-type CNC lathe uses a sliding-headstock design and, in traditional Swiss machining, a guide bushing close to the cutting point. This can provide advantages for long, slender and small-diameter components.
The correct machine depends on part diameter, length-to-diameter ratio, geometry, tolerances, production volume and required secondary operations.
Both Swiss machines and conventional multi-axis CNC lathes can combine turning, milling, drilling and secondary spindle operations.
Swiss machines can provide an additional advantage for smaller and more slender components because of their sliding-headstock architecture and workpiece-support strategy.
Swiss CNC lathes are used across industries requiring precision production of complex components, including:
Swiss-type CNC lathes are commonly integrated with bar feeders to support automated production from bar stock.
Once a process is proven and material, tooling, chip control and part handling are properly managed, bar-fed production can allow the machine to produce multiple components with reduced operator intervention.
Selecting a Swiss-type machine should begin with the actual component and production requirement. Hillary Machinery can help evaluate:
A Swiss CNC lathe is a sliding-headstock CNC turning machine designed for precision production, particularly of small-diameter, long, slender or complex components.
The machine concept originated in Switzerland for producing small precision components, particularly parts required by the Swiss watch industry.
A guide bushing supports bar stock close to the cutting point. This reduces the unsupported length of material and can help control deflection when machining long, slender components.
Yes. Modern Swiss CNC machines can be equipped with live tooling and multiple controlled axes for milling, cross drilling, tapping and other operations in addition to conventional turning.
Many applications can be substantially or completely machined in one cycle. Main-spindle machining, live tooling, part transfer and sub-spindle back-working can eliminate many separate secondary operations.
Swiss machining is especially effective for small-diameter, long or slender components and complex precision parts requiring multiple turning and milling operations.
They can support extended automated production when the complete process is stable and properly configured with bar feeding, tooling, chip control, coolant management and finished-part handling.
Hillary Machinery can help evaluate your part diameter, length, tolerances, features, cycle time and production volume to identify the appropriate STAR Swiss CNC machine.
View Available STAR Swiss CNC Lathes or contact Hillary Machinery to discuss your Swiss turning application.
We use cookies to improve your experience. Privacy Policy.
