A Swiss CNC machine, sometimes referred to as a Swiss automatic lathe or Swiss type lathe, is a manufacturing tool able to produce small, complex parts with extremely tight tolerances. During the Swiss machining process, the bar stock is held tightly for increased precision. Only the portion of the bar stock to be machined is fed into the tooling area. The raw material can move back and forth along the Z-axis or turn while tools subtract material from the workpiece. Multiple zones of the Swiss CNC machine can operate simultaneously.
Swiss machines are primarily used to create small parts with turned features but can also be used for other complex designs without turned features. Parts made by a Swiss machine include those with tight tolerances, high precision, complex geometries, and an excellent surface finish. There is no need for a secondary process unless desired. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, dental, military, electronics and more, all use parts made by Swiss CNC machines.
The cost of Swiss CNC machining depends on the design of the part, material selected, quantity ordered, turnaround time and labor.
Swiss machining can produce parts with tight tolerances, turned features and complex geometries. The cut length, accuracy needed, and the complexity of the design can add to the cost. The more complex the design, the higher the cost.
The type of material selected can influence the cost of Swiss CNC machining. Stainless steel, aluminum and brass are a few of the materials that are used during Swiss CNC manufacturing. Material thickness and size are also a factor.
The cost of Swiss CNC manufacturing is also affected by the volume of parts ordered. Ordering larger quantities of identical parts can help to reduce costs. As a CNC process, Swiss machining has a high rate of repeatability.
Swiss machining is an automated technology, which helps to reduce turnaround time. Swiss machines have been known to produce parts faster when compared to other processes. In addition, the parts produced have a fine finish, eliminating the need for secondary processing.
As Swiss CNC manufacturing is an automated, labor costs are reduced. Most labor charges will be for design assistance and setting up the machine. Set up for bulk orders is reduced as the cost is divided over a larger number of pieces. Some manual labor may add an additional cost if post processing is necessary.
Trust Fathom with your next Swiss CNC machine project. In addition to Swiss CNC machining, Fathom also offers CNC 3 & 5 AXIS, CNC milling and turning, sinker EDM, wire EDM and more. Finishing and post-processing services are also available including welding, deburring and bead blasting. Swiss CNC machining is just one of 28 manufacturing services offered by Fathom.
With Fathom’s SmartQuote online platform, you can receive a Swiss CNC quote in as little as 1 hour, usually within 24 hours. Need a Swiss CNC machine quote? Do you want to calculate costs on another manufacturing service? Fathom’s Swiss CNC machine lead times are as follows:
Fathom’s manufacturing facilities are powered by over 530 machines, including mills, lathes, presses, press brakes, turret punches and additive systems. Fathom has equipment dedicated to metal prototype fabrication, including lasers, waterjet machines, finishing tools, autodeburring, 4 slide machines, multi-slide machines, press brakes, 300-ton presses, 22-ton presses, wire EDM machines, seely slide forming tools and 35-ton blanking presses.
Fathom provides not just Swiss CNC manufacturing but also hybridized services leveraging prototype fabrication and additive manufacturing. Need metal prototype fabrication as part of a more complex project? Fathom can handle it. A recent case study is listed below where Fathom delivered 20,000 parts in 27 days using 55+ tools, including metal prototype fabrication services:
A customer came to Fathom with a complex project that spanned the technologies and processes of rapid production—and needed it done fast. Fathom delivered.
55+ Tools to Injection
Mold 15,000 Parts
First Article in 2 Weeks
3,000+ 3D
Printed Parts
2,000+ Metal
Fabricated Parts
3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing—PolyJet, SLS, MJF.
DFM Analysis + CAD Mods.
CNC Machining. Laser Cutting.
Stamping. Die Cutting. Post-Opp Drilling.
24-hour Turnaround Urethane Casting.
Injection + Compression Molding.
Model Finishing. Insert Assembly.
Advanced Project Management.
Fathom’s manufacturing network has nine locations across the United States with CNC capabilities. Our CNC locations are:
HEADQUARTERS
1050 Walnut Ridge Drive
Hartland, WI 53029
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
ITAR
ARIZONA
444 W. 21st St. Ste. 101
Tempe, AZ 85282
ISO 9001:2015
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR
FLORIDA
14000 N.W. 58th Court
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
ISO 13485:2016
CALIFORNIA
620 3rd Street
Oakland, CA 94607
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
NIST 800-171 Compliant
ITAR
ILLINOIS
1207 Adams Drive
McHenry, IL 60051
1401 Brummel Ave
Elk Grove, IL 60007
ISO 9001:2015 Design Certified
MINNESOTA
13758 Johnson Street NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
TEXAS
1801 Rowe Lane
Pflugerville, TX 78660
ISO 9001:2015
AS9100:2016
1513 Sam Bass Rd
Round Rock, TX 78681
ISO 9001:2015
ISO 13485:2016
As a leading US-based manufacturer offering nationwide coverage, Fathom offers both CNC machining services for both metal and plastic. Materials ready for Swiss CNC manufacturing include:
| METALS | OPTIMAL QUANTITY | TOLERANCES (+/-) | ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS | FINISH & APPEARANCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
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| Low Carbon Steel | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
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| Aluminum | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
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| Brass | 1-1000 | +/- 0.005″ |
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| PLASTICS | OPTIMAL QUANTITY | TOLERANCES (+/-) | ADVANTAGES & CONSIDERATIONS | FINISH & APPEARANCE |
| HDPE | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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| PC | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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| ABS | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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| Acrylic | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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| Nylon 6/6 | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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| Acetal (Delrin®) | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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| ULTEM® | 1-100 | +/- 0.008″ |
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A: Yes, Fathom offers Swiss machine services.
A: A Swiss machine is an automated CNC manufacturing tool able to produce small parts with complex designs and tight tolerances.
A: Fathom’s certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 Design, and ISO 13485:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is ITAR certified. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom is AS9100:2016. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: Yes, Fathom’s certifications include NIST 800-171. For site-specific certifications, please visit https://fathommfg.com/fathom-manufacturing-certifications.
A: CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control.
A: Swiss style turning refers to the use of a Swiss CNC machine during manufacturing to produce small complex parts with turned features.
A: Swiss CNC machinery is operated by skilled machine operators. As a CNC technology, the design is first programmed and then the part is made through automation.
Do you need a Swiss CNC machine quote for an upcoming project? Are you looking to calculate costs? Use Fathom’s SmartQuote application for a fast quote on any file.
