Screw machines are automated lathes which can machine turned parts. The appellation “screw machine” might be slightly misleading, as they don’t actually screw anything in, nor do they necessarily thread materials, although this is one of their functions. Essentially, they machine components by spinning on a very quickly rotating lathe, which shaves metal down to a desired size.
There are two types of screw machines: Turret and Swiss. The Turret type, also called a Brown & Sharpe after its first manufacturer, mounts the workpiece on a vertical ram which works into the lathe. The Swiss type, named after its place of origin where watchmakers used it for precision components, mounts the work-piece on a rotary slide. While these two types function differently, their benefits and output are essentially the same, although the Swiss screw machine is better at more precise work.
Different Types of Swiss Screw Machines
There are two main types of Swiss screw machines: automatic and CNC. The automatic screw machine functions with a disc cam, which rotates the tools to the work-piece bay. A collet holds the work-piece in place. The disc cams move the tools in a radial motion, but also alter headstock positioning in order to account for longitudinal discrepancies with the work-piece. The automatic Swiss screw machine features very close spindle collets, which prevent much deflected debris from becoming a problem.
CNC Swiss screw machines, also called CNC turning machines or lathes, operate largely on the same principle as an automatic Swiss screw machine, except the operation is controlled by a CNC unit. Because of the increased direction provided by the CNC, these turning machines can feature more sets of tooling, allowing for the machine to perform several operations on the same piece in a shorter amount of time. Automatic Swiss screw machines can also perform several operations, but lacks the precision and swiftness as a CNC unit. A CNC Swiss screw machine can rotate a part at up to 10,000RPM at an accuracy level of 0.0002 to 0.0005 inches.
Both automatic and CNC Swiss screw machines are relatively cost efficient for longer projects because, once properly tooled and program oriented, many machines can run under the supervision of one operator. This low variable increases a Swiss screw machine’s appeal, although preparation time can be up to an hour, so shorter projects’ fixed costs might balance out for another tooling process. At the same time, Swiss screw machines are able to do more precision work due to the tight, close quarters of the collet, work-piece, and tooling, so multiple factors are at play in process selection.
Swiss- and Turret-Style Machines
Turret-type screw machines produce very similar results to Swiss-style machines, although the precision difference appears above. One advantage of the CNC Swiss screw machine is the fact that many more tooling fixtures can be applied, and, despite screw machines typically being “single spindle,” the possibility of a double spindle machine. This time saving feature effectively cuts out an operator, as the part is automatically transferred from the screw machine to another machine for secondary operations, for which an operator would normally be responsible. Turret-style screw machines come equipped with a transfer attachment that can also perform this function.
Applications
Current Swiss-style screw machines, of both types, are prevalent in the automotive, IT, and consumer electronic industries. High-quality designer Swiss watch production initially developed and utilized the Swiss-style machines, and this accuracy and delicacy is prized in many facilities. Due to quick production times and low variable costs, as well as their largely un-supervised production methods, Swiss screw machines can produce a large number of small, precision parts relatively quickly at low cost. Because Swiss machines can handle both exotic and common metals of varying strengths and composition, they are widely applicable and feature as integral processes in many different industries.
Source:THOMAS
