Today, we will talk about KSI Swiss lathes and everything about our Swiss automatic screw machines. Many of you interested in metalwork and machining are probably curious about swiss machines and lathes in general. Well, we’re here to help you become familiar with KSI, Swiss automatic screw machines, and everything in between.
Let’s start with a bit of background about KSI.
Get to Know the KSI Brand
KSI is one of today’s most important Swiss lathe manufacturers. Beginning as people who bought and operated CBC Swiss Lathes, we are now a company who makes those machines. It was all because there were not many options available at that time, and most were excessively expensive.
These two reasons encouraged us to look for better and more affordable options, which we found in South Korea. It was then that we became Nexturn’s first importer in the U.S.A. We imported Nexturn CNC Swiss machines for their own use and also to sell across the U.S. Today, KSI is a trusted brand selling the best Swiss machines.
If it’s a Swiss lathe for sale you are looking for, KSI is one of the best brands to get them. While it was only in 2005 when we started, KSI Swiss lathes are among the highest quality machines in the industry. KSI has several Swiss CNC lathe models available, with features that include intelligent chucking, high precision mode, rapid tool change, and more.
History of Swiss Automatic Screw Machines
Swiss automatic screw machines have been around for a long-time now. The technology for Swiss machines developed due to the pressure on Swiss watchmakers for smaller components. This was around the time when wristwatches and pocket watches were growing popular. The necessity helped create machine tiny diameters without the part being ruined when turned.
The development of Swiss-type automatic lathe can be credited to Jakob Schweizer, a Swiss watchmaker. He invented the Swiss machine in the 1870s. He was the one who thought of the unique sliding parts of the machine along the lathe’s longitudinal axis. This approach made it possible to machine really tiny parts.
The same principles that Swiss watchmakers developed still apply in today’s Swiss automatic screw machines. However, more modern lathes, especially the Swiss-type CNC lathe, benefited from advancements in programming technology. Thanks to this technology, you can create refined and precise three-dimensional cuts without much work.
A Swiss-type CNC lathe can also cut components near its bushings thanks to CNC programming technology. This capability makes a CNC Swiss lathe work well in building longer pieces. CNC Swiss machines allow end-users to perform complex geometries by feeding only raw stock into the lathe, resulting in a completed part in single machining.
Questions About Swiss Machines
What is a Swiss Lathe Machine?
A Swiss-type automatic machine is a style of lathe where the collet or holding mechanism is found behind the guide bushing. It is also known for other names, such as Swiss-style lathes, Swiss automatic lathes, Swiss screw machines, and Swiss turning centers.
Why Is it Called a Swiss Lathe?
Swiss-type automatic lathes are called “Swiss lathe” because their first moving headstock was developed in Switzerland. It is from this fact that this particular machine became known as Swiss-type screw machines, which were then used primarily in the watch-making industry.
What Is the Difference Between a Swiss Machine and a Traditional Lathe?
A Swiss-type automatic machine is different from traditional lathes because the collet or holding mechanism has a bar stock. The collet holds this bar stock without being directly exposed to the lathe bed and the tooling. Thanks to this configuration, Swiss automatic screw machines have several more features and benefits than traditional lathes.
What Does a Swiss Machine Do?
A Swiss-type automatic machine shapes components. The machine does it by holding a workpiece from the middle and end parts. Meanwhile, the tools attached to the lathe shapes the workpiece, sculpting it from multiple sides.
What Is the Benefit of a Sub Spindle in a Swiss Type CNC Lathe?
Some Swiss-type CNC lathe models have a sub-spindle – compact in structure, low noise, lightweight, and fast response. The sub-spindle allows the machine to perform drilling, turning, tapping, and milling. Also, the sub-spindle and the main spindle provide enhanced productivity by performing simultaneous machining. The sub spindle also provides improved efficiency for secondary machining.
How Many Axis Does a Swiss Lathe Have?
Swiss-type automatic machines usually have a 5-axis control, allowing a single machining cycle to perform multiple operations. Swiss automatic screw machines have five or more axes, making them different from conventional lathes with three or four axes.
What Does a Swiss Machinist Do?
The Swiss machinist is the person that operates a Swiss automatic screw machine, which is a Swiss-style computer numerical controlled or CNC machine. A Swiss machinist is an expert at using this machine, controlling the Swiss automatic screw machines to cut, pierce, and drill raw materials and shape them into the final product.
How Does a Swiss Screw Machine Work?
A Swiss-type automatic lathe works by spinning a workpiece to shape or sculpt it. This lathe has tool holders positioned outwardly around the spindle, plus a tailstock coaxial to it. It has a turning center with a moving headstock. The workpiece is clamped onto the collet in the headstock, with the guide bushing guiding it to the tooling area.
The headstock moves with the bar stock, located precisely and radially along the Z-axis. The machine carries the turning tools on the gang slide, closely in contact with the material. Swiss screw machines feature continuous feeding thanks to the spindle’s movement and the supply of the guide bush.
There are notable differences between a Swiss-type automatic machine and a traditional lathe. Firstly, Swiss-type lathes can rotate a workpiece to carve it, but it does not need to. Another difference is that its tooling does not move like that in a lathe. This is because, in Swiss machining, the workpiece moves along the Z-axis.
Swiss automatic screw machines also have a collet and bushing holding the workpiece. The Swiss-type automatic machine allows the tooling to cut into the piece millimeters from where the machine holds it. Another feature of Swiss screw machines is their ability to machine five to 13 axes. It can also perform threading and milling operations.
What is a Swiss Type Automatic Screw?
A Swiss-style screw machine or Swiss-type automatic screw is the same as a Swiss-type lathe. These are Swiss machines with several extra features that a traditional lathe doesn’t have. Swiss-style screw machine is simply another name used to call a Swiss lathe.
Why Do Swiss Lathes Use Oil?
Most modern Swiss-type automatic machines use oil instead of water as the cutting fluid to provide greater lubricity. Using oil offers many benefits, such as the machine being free from bacteria growth that may cause a bad odor. You will also be free from prune-like hands due to exposure to water-based coolant every day.
However, there is also a disadvantage to using oil as a coolant. Unlike water, oil is not as effective at dissipating heat. If a Swiss automatic screw machine cuts quickly without water as a coolant, it can quickly become hot in the work zone, making towels or gloves necessary when changing tools.
How Much Does a CNC Swiss Lathe Cost?
There are so many CNC Swiss machines available on the market right now. Hundreds, maybe even thousands of them, and their prices differ based on several factors. Out of the different CNC lathes, the most expensive ones are the 5-axis and 6-axis robotic types. There are lathe machines used in manufacturing high-end military equipment. There are also inexpensive ones, with prices around $150, which are entry-level lathes ideal for hobbyists.
How Do CNC Swiss Machines Work?
CNC Swiss machines, also known as CNC lathes or turning machines, work following the same principle as an automatic Swiss machine. The only difference is that a CNC or computer numerical control unit controls a CNC machine. Thanks to the increased direction provided by the CNC unit, this particular Swiss lathe has more sets of tooling.
Because of this, CNC machines can do more operations on a single workpiece within only a short amount of time. The biggest advantage of the Swiss CNC lathe is its precise and swift operations. It can rotate a component at around 10,000 RPM with an accuracy level of up to 0.0005 inches.
Is a CNC Lathe Worth It?
Many people with a manual lathe say they are fine with using them and do not believe that buying an automatic or CNC lathe is worth it. However, the benefits of a CNC Swiss lathe are truly worth investing in if you are doing more complex machining and do not have much experience. We believe it is worth it since the computer controls make it easier to create complicated cuts.
What is a CNC Swiss Programmer?
The CNC Swiss programmer is the person who develops programs for the precision of CNC Swiss-type automatic machines. Thanks to the programs they make, CNC machines can cut and carve parts used in medical devices, cars, airplanes, and other manufactured goods. Their work is basically the one that instructs the lathes to produce parts.
How Does a Swiss CNC Turning Center Different From a Conventional Turning Center?
A few things make Swiss CNC turning centers different from a conventional turning center. These differences lie in the headstock, guide bushing, cycle time, coolant, and lathe programming. Swiss CNC turning centers also have a different capability than a conventional center. Below is a brief description of these differences:
Headstock
Conventional lathes have fixed headstocks with the bar stock clamped in the chuck or collet. It can extend to the machine’s enclosure or be supported by the tailstock on one end. Meanwhile, a Swiss lathe has a movable headstock.
Guide Bushing
The component is stabilized in the main spindle’s collet in conventional turning. The problem with this is it does not suit long parts because of material deflection. With Swiss tuning, the material is held by the collet. This positioning allows the workpiece to slide behind the guide bushing along with the headstock. Thanks to this, the cutting tool can work near the guide bushing, preventing deflections. This configuration allows Swiss tuning to achieve the required tolerances no matter how long the component is.
Cycle Time
Swiss-type automatic machines reduce the cycle time for complex components. Thanks to its tuning center, you can work on complex materials even when you do not have that much experience and for a shorter time.
Coolant
Water is used as the coolant in conventional turning. In Swiss CNC turning centers, the coolant used is oil. They each provide a set of advantages, which you will want to consider when looking for a Swiss-type automatic for sale.
Programming
A Swiss-type automatic lathe has the opposite offset programming of a conventional lathe. Swiss automatic screw machines need a “plus” offset to drill deeper holes or turn longer lengths. Meanwhile, conventional lathes use a “minus” offset.
Axis
Traditional lathes often have three or four axes, unable to machine a turned part within one cycle. A Swiss-type automatic lathe typically has five or more axes, allowing it to perform multiple operations in only one machining cycle.
Conclusion
Did this answer all your questions about KSI and Swiss automatic screw machines? There are many advantages that this type of lathe has to offer that are definitely worth it. It’s perfectly okay to stick with a manual lathe. Still, if you’re looking for precision and swiftness, Swiss lathes are your best option.