How does a Swiss lathe work

Detailed Explanation of the Working Principle of Swiss Lathes

Preparation stage before processing: Raw material clamping ‌, the operator will precisely load long strip-shaped raw materials, such as metal bars, into the spindle fixture of the Swiss lathe. The fixture will tightly hold one end of the raw material, providing stable support for subsequent processing. It's just like fixing one end of a wooden stick to be carved first to facilitate subsequent operations. Moreover, the unique guide sleeve structure of the Swiss lathe will come into play at this time. The guide sleeve will slide along the raw material and clamp it, effectively reducing vibration and ensuring processing accuracy when processing slender parts.

 

Youdaoplaceholder0 Tool installation and commissioning ‌ : According to the shape of the part to be processed and the process requirements, select the appropriate tool and install it on the tool turret. The tool turret can rotate to quickly switch the required tools to the processing position. For instance, when processing a part with an outer circle and a thread, it is necessary to install the outer circle turning tool and the thread turning tool respectively. At the same time, the parameters of the cutting tools, such as cutting speed and feed rate, should also be adjusted to ensure the best processing effect.

 

Processing stage: The spindle rotates to drive the raw material ‌. The spindle starts to rotate at high speed, driving the raw material to rotate together. This is like a rotating stage, where raw materials undergo various processing operations. The rotational speed of the spindle can be precisely adjusted according to the processing requirements. Different materials and processing procedures may require different rotational speeds. For instance, when processing steel with higher hardness, the rotational speed might be relatively lower. When processing softer aluminum alloys, the rotational speed can be appropriately increased.

 

Youdaoplaceholder0 Tool feed cutting ‌ : The tool turret controls the tool to feed towards the rotating raw material according to the pre-programmed path and instructions for cutting operations. If it is cylindrical turning, the cylindrical turning tool will move along the axial and radial directions of the raw material, gradually cutting off the excess material to make the outer circle of the raw material reach the required size and shape. When processing threads, the thread turning tool will cut along a specific thread path to form accurate threads. Moreover, the multi-tool turret design of Swiss lathes enables multiple tools to work simultaneously. For instance, one tool turret is used for cylindrical turning while another for milling, significantly enhancing processing efficiency.

 

Youdaoplaceholder0 co-processing with secondary spindles (if any) ‌ : For Swiss lathes equipped with secondary spindles, after the main spindle has completed part of the processing, the secondary spindle will catch the part and perform secondary processing. For instance, after the main shaft has processed one end of the part, the secondary main shaft clamps the processed end of the part and then performs operations such as drilling and tapping on the other end of the part. In this way, the parts can complete multiple processing procedures in one clamping, reducing the number of clamping times and improving the processing accuracy and consistency of the parts.

 

Post-processing stage: Part inspection ‌ : After processing is completed, operators will use various inspection tools, such as micrometers, calipers, etc., to inspect the dimensions and shapes of the processed parts. Ensure that all the indicators of the parts meet the design requirements. Some advanced Swiss lathes are also equipped with online detection systems that can monitor the dimensions of parts in real time during the processing. Once deviations are detected, the processing parameters can be adjusted promptly.

 

Youdaoplaceholder0 parts blanking and subsequent processing ‌ : Parts that pass the inspection will be removed from the lathe and then undergo subsequent processing as needed, such as heat treatment and surface treatment, to enhance the performance and service life of the parts.

 

A practical case illustrates: Taking the processing of a precise watch part as an example, this part is a slender shaft with a diameter of only 2 millimeters and a length of 20 millimeters, which has extremely high requirements for straightness and dimensional accuracy. The operator first loads the metal bar stock into the main shaft fixture, and the guide sleeve clamps the bar stock. Then install the cylindrical turning tool, center drill and other tools. The spindle starts to rotate. The cylindrical turning tool first performs rough and finish turning on the bar stock, processing the outer circle to the required size. Next, the center drill drills a center hole at one end of the shaft. If the lathe has a secondary spindle, the secondary spindle connects to the part and processes the other end, such as chamfering, etc. After processing is completed, the dimensions and straightness of the parts are measured with a micrometer to ensure they meet the precision requirements of watch manufacturing.

 

Do you want to know the specific working differences of Swiss lathes in processing across different industries, or do you want to have a deeper understanding of a certain working link of it?