Swiss machines solutions

The land of watches, Switzerland, gave its name to these miniature Swiss machines

When the clock towers shrunk and came to be placed on our wrist, it called for machines to manufacture scaled versions of those big gears, ratchets, levers, hinges and shafts. Though the size of the clocks shrunk, measurement of time remained the same. This required machining of small parts while maintaining precision throughout the entire manufacturing process.

A Swiss machine is capable of producing small parts, manufactured in millions of pieces, yet each piece must be identical and precise, from the first to the millionth piece. It called for mechanization of the process of manufacturing parts.

Understanding Swiss Machines

An appropriate statement for a Swiss machine could be – “Precision delivering Precision”.

These multitasking machines are capable of machining small, complex parts with the most minute details, churning out components in a fraction of a minute.

Swiss machines are also called sliding head machines. This is the unique feature of these machines, which helps in machining close to the component chucking face. Machining with such low overhangs, controls the vibration and helps in controlling the dimensional and geometrical accuracies of the component. The tools move only in the direction of depth of cuts. The feed is a result of the firm movement of the component, using a sliding collet. Of course, there is a limitation in the diameter of the component, which is 40mm. The raw material input is in the form of a bar, which is fed thru the two collets – moving and stationary collets.

There are many applications which are machined on a Swiss machine, from a simple sealing washer to a complex aerospace engine part.

Some components are machined on sliding head machines to meet production numbers at the least possible cost, while other components require high accuracy and multitasking operations. for meeting the production numbers at the least possible cost and some are machined on such machines, which need high accuracy and multitasking operations. CAM programming provides these machines the ability to handle more complex component machining, which otherwise was thought impossible.

Delivering the right amount of fuel, keeping the watch ticking right, sealing the components to make them leak proof, making the toys dance, helping a smartphone capture a great picture or just holding things together perfectly are all some of the functions of the parts machined on a Swiss machine.

Tungaloy’s tools for miniature component machining are a perfect alliance to the Swiss machines for producing precise components.

Features of Tungaloy Tools for Swiss Machines

The image above shows some of the popular tools on a Swiss machine which are available thru many suppliers.

Handling small parts and machining intricate features on them and require a different mindset when compared to machining large parts.

Tungaloy’s focus is on saving uncut time on a Swiss machine. Setting up the Swiss machine for a new component or indexing inserts, would be considered non-cut time. Tungaloy’s insert indexing feature or the new ModuMiniTurn tools offer substantial reduction of this non-cut time. The operating area of these machines is very compact. Hence, Tungaloy has invested a great deal of thought on the accessibility of tool clamping, indexing etc. to increase the operator’s safety and ease of use.

At the same time, the carefully crafted insert grade, cutting edge and geometries offer great chip control, dimension repeatability and extended tool life for uninterrupted mass production of components.

Tungaloy’s dedicated solutions for Swiss machines exhibit the features below which differentiate them from tools for general machining applications.

Tungaloy offers a range of precision cutting tools for handling all metal cutting operations on a Swiss machine starting from 0.1mm to indexable tools for turning, threading, boring, milling, drilling and hole finishing operations

An E-Class insert has very close tolerance on the center height, apart from indexing accuracies. This helps in eliminating chatter and vibration and produces components with close tolerances and surface quality.

TinyMini-Turn – Solid carbide tools for fine ID machining operations

TinyMini-Turn tools are offered with a substrate with balanced wear-resistance and toughness to take care of universal applications and various materials being machined. A thin wear-resistant coating helps overcome the heat challenge and avoids built-up edge and chipping.

Both indexable tools (for ID machining of 4.5mm bore diameter) and solid carbide TinyMini-Turn tools can be clamped in a 4 coolant holes sleeve for better coolant delivery and smooth chip evacuation.

Ingenious through-coolant sleeve design optimally directs 4 streams of coolant jets close to the cutting zone, providing long tool life, controlled chips formation and evacuation for better part quality.

New SH725 grade provides a good combination of wear and fracture resistance, ensuring tool life and wear prediction.

MiniForce-Turn – For external turning applications on Swiss machine

Tungaloy has developed a unique tool series, MiniForce-Turn, which offers both precision and economy. Double-sided positive inserts (6 corners) for precision turning, profiling and fine finishing offers double the number of edges yet is as positive as a single-sided insert. Dovetail seating of the inserts ensures repeatability in dimensional control after every indexing.

AddForceCut – Parting-off tool

DuoJustCut – for Parting

DuoJustCut is a unique parting and deep grooving tool for Swiss machines. One tool holder takes different insert sizes to part-off Ø6 to Ø20mm bars. The pressed chip groove on the insert with width as low as 0.6mm helps in clean parting process with effective chip control. Above all, the high pressure thru coolant capability makes this tool a must use on all Swiss lathe parting applications.

TungCut -1.2 mm side clamp parting holder

Dual saving of non-cut time (insert indexing time) and material saving of up to 40% when compared to conventional TungCut parting tool using 2.0mm parting insert.

As the grub screw is tightened, the clamping pin moves downward to clamp the insert securely.

ModuMiniTurn

Tungaloy offers ModuMiniTurn, the modular turning tool series dedicated to the ever increasing demand for low setup time and reduction of nonproductive time.

Modular design of the heads helps in quick and easy indexing with the least amount of setup time. Repeatability of the tool is within 5 microns which provides extreme precision.

High pressure thru coolant capability helps in controlling the chips and offer extended tool life.

One shank can mount multiple heads thus offering flexibility in the quick changing process.

Y-Axis machining capability helps further in reducing the vibration, improving chip evacuation and improving productivity.

Drill Line for Swiss Machines

Starting from 0.1mm, Tungaloy offers a range of precision drilling products for use on Swiss Machines.

GigaMiniDrills are excellent small drills for all types of ductile materials. The diameter range is from 0.1-3 mm in steps of 0.01mm with drilling depth of up to 15 times the diameter.

AddMeisterDrill

TungForceRec 04/06

TungMeister

Bottom Line