Ardel Engineering & Manufacturing is an ISO 9001:2015 certified and ISO 13485 compliant company specializing in precision milling and turning. Our 30,000-square-foot facility houses Swiss screw machines and other top-of-the-line CNC milling and turning equipment, which we use to create small diameter components in medium to high volumes for customers across a wide range of industries.
The manufacturing industry has undergone significant changes over the years. One of the techniques/technologies that has experienced the biggest developments is Swiss-style machining. The integration of computer numerical control (CNC) technology has allowed companies to automate operations to achieve even better accuracy, precision, speed, and outputs.
What Is Swiss Machining?
Swiss machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses specialized machining equipment (i.e., Swiss-type). The main difference between Swiss-type machining equipment and other machining equipment is that it uses bar stock feeders to hold the workpieces and guide bushings to reduce the distance between the main spindle and the cutting tool. The result is less bending of the workpiece and defection at the cutting surface, which allows for the small cylindrical components to be made with a high degree of accuracy and precision. The Swiss machining process was created specifically to allow manufacturers to achieve tighter tolerances while improving quality and repeatability.
The Ardel team is equipped with four 20 mm and three 32 mm Citizen Swiss screw machines. The magazine-style bar feeders on the machines can hold raw rod stock up to 12 feet long, enabling continuous operation and high efficiency for longer pieces. The twin spindles on the machines allow various processes to be performed and features to be created within the same cycle.
How Has Automation Changed Swiss Machining?
Swiss machining has found application in the manufacturing operations of many industries, including automotive, electronics, firearms, general industrial, and medical. Throughout the years, technological advancements have led to significant improvements in the equipment and process. For example, many Swiss-style machines utilize computer software and controls to achieve even tighter tolerances and greater precision than standard units.
Equipped with automatic loading capabilities, user-friendly controls, programming functions, and many other advanced features, CNC Swiss machining equipment offers a number of advantages to manufacturing companies and customers. For example:
- It allows for complex parts and products to be produced in a single operation, saving time and money for companies and customers.
- It makes components with small diameters (up to 1.25 inches) to tight tolerances (±.002 inches).
- It offers reduced setup time, allowing manufacturers to quickly changeover machines between jobs.
Learn More About Swiss Screw Machining From Ardel Engineering
Want to learn more about Swiss screw machining? Ask the experts at Ardel Engineering! Equipped with extensive experience providing Swiss screw machining solutions, our team can answer or address any questions you may have about the process and equipment.
Additionally, if you need a partner for your next Swiss machining project, we are here to help! We offer capabilities for parts up to 12 feet in length made from almost any type of metal, plastic, or engineering-grade material up to 32 millimeters in diameter. While Swiss machining is generally used for production quantities ranging from 500 to 50,000 units, our team can fulfill order requests below or above this average range.
To learn more about our Swiss machining capabilities, contact us today. To discuss your project with one of our team members, request a quote.