Swiss turning machines were originally developed to make small watch parts. However, in the past 150 years or so, they have changed — a lot. In a recent Tom and Lonnie Chat (TLC), the CEO of Mazak Dan Janka and general manager Kevin Bates joined Dr. Tom Kurfess and Dr. Tom Feldhausen to talk about Swiss turning in the 21st Century. Get more news about Swiss-type Lathe Machining,you can vist our website!
What is a modern Swiss Turning Machine? To define what a modern Swiss turning machine is, we first must establish what it is not, according to Kevin Bates, general manager for the Mazak Midwest region and head of Mazak’s new Swiss Turning division. “The Mazak Syncrex Swiss Turning Machine is NOT a screw machine. It is a CNC Swiss-style lathe. It is the ideal machine for small parts, and it is no more complicated than any other multi-tasking machine,” he says.
Who is using Swiss Turning Machines now? Everyone. Today, any job shop can benefit from the capabilities and flexibilities offered by a Swiss machine tool. “Until recently, the Swiss machine market was a niche market and Mazak prides itself on focusing on delivering technology for every shop,” Bates explains. “But that has all changed now.” Since 2011 Swiss machine sales have doubled, so Mazak decided to offer a Swiss Machine to better meet customer needs.
Why would a job shop use a Swiss Turning Machine? One of the distinct advantages of Swiss machines is the ability to reduce chatter and enhance part accuracy by cutting parts at the point of most support. Unlike traditional CNC machines, Swiss machines include a guide bushing to support the part during cutting.
Modern machines also have built-in automation features that help with workforce challenges. One operator can run multiple Swiss machines simultaneously, and repeat jobs can now be set up in less than an hour.
Mazak’s Syncrex Swiss Turning Machine also integrates a few new functionalities. For instance, Mazak’s machine is built on a polymer composite machine base that weighs in at a whopping 3,400 pounds and provides significantly more dampening than cast iron bases — leading to improved surface finishes and tool lives that are up to 30% longer.
An automated tool setting system, which Mazak refers to as Mazak Swiss Set up Assist (MSSA), gives the new machine the ability to touch off all the tools in approximately 15 minutes with a high degree of accuracy after initial calibration and set up by the operator. This innovative technology will be front and center at the Mazak booth (338300) at IMTS 2022. “We listened to what our customers said about their challenges with Swiss machines or their hesitancy to use one,” Bates says. “We addressed those issues directly. Swiss machines do not need to be limited or complicated. They can be powerful workhorses in any job shop.”
