At present, Paradigm Polymer is primarily a “Swiss automatic machine job shop” proud of our ability to efficiently turn polymer bar stock into precision plastic parts with the tightest tolerances in the business. While a goal for our new company, pondered over many shifts during our decades at Parason Machine and codified as part of our founding, is to evaluate and then incorporate other means of production that will benefit our customers into our processes, for now, we lean into Swiss screw machines. So let’s spend some time talking about them, their capabilities, and what they bring to our customers.
Origin of the Swiss Screw Machine
As you might guess, Swiss screw machines were developed in Switzerland, and their history dates back to the 1800s. Initially designed by Swiss watchmaker Jakob Schweizer to produce tiny parts for the watchmaking industry, Swiss-style lathes started gaining popularity in other industries in the 1960s thanks to its high precision and low margin of error. Innovations continued over the years, and their applications expanded well beyond watchmaking.
What is a Swiss Screw Machine?
Also known as a Swiss lathe or Swiss-type automatic lathe, a Swiss Screw Machine is a type of precision machine tool used for high-speed, high-precision machining of small, intricate parts. At Paradigm Polymer, we use automatic Swiss Screw Machines, where our experienced machinists perform set-ups for production runs of varying volumes, at times holding tolerances as tight as +/- .0002”. All cutting tools are custom-made in-house, which helps facilitate the repeatability and tolerance that we hold. Operators will load the bar stock and monitor the output while adjusting to maintain part quality.
In terms of machine operation, the machine is designed to support the workpiece (polymer bar stock) with a static guide bushing a rotating spindle (called the headstock), which turns the workpiece at speeds up to 10,000 RPM. This allows for very precise, consistent, and repeatable movement. Cutting tools, mounted around the guide bushing, can move along multiple axes, enabling complex operations such as drilling, turning, generating, slotting, and threading to happen simultaneously or in succession. The workpiece is fed automatically via a gravity feed, allowing rods up to 12’ long to be loaded and manufactured.
Production Advantages of a Swiss Screw Machine
A Swiss screw machine offers several advantages over other lathe options. Its ability to accurately and efficiently produce large volumes of small machined parts is its most significant advantage, but here are some others:
Unlike traditional lathes, Swiss Automatics allows as many as five tool positions and various drilling attachments to work independently, significantly decreasing cycle time (which translates to lower prices for our customers).
Cam-driven tool slides and drilling spindles allow for exact repeatability for short and long production runs.
Paradigm customers experience even greater flexibility and response time to dimensional changes because we manufacture cutting tools on-premise
Output Benefits of Swiss Screw Machines
The rapid rate of production and precision make a Swiss turning machine superior to its counterparts in many aspects:
High precision—Swiss lathes are known for exceptionally high precision and tight tolerances, which are often necessary for industries like medical, aerospace, or intricate electronic components.
High repeatability – Swiss machines produce consistently high-quality parts, which is crucial for industries where every micron counts.
Complex parts production—With their unique guide bushing system, Swiss lathes can more effectively handle long, slender parts and intricate details than conventional lathes.
Reduced deflection—the Swiss lathe's design, where the workpiece is supported very close to the cutting tool by the guide bushing, significantly reduces deflection, which allows for better surface finishes and consistent dimensions on long, slender parts.
Higher RPMs – Swiss lathes can typically operate at higher RPMs without vibration, leading to faster machining times and improved surface finishes.
Our team at Paradigm Polymer has more than 150,000 man hours in setting up and operating Swiss Screw Machines and has produced over 500 million parts over eleven thousand production runs. If you need a precision plastic part, don't hesitate to contact us to discover what our team can do for you.
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