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3D-Druck und CNC
Vom Prototyp zur Serie.
Direkt vom Hersteller
3D-Druck und CNC
Vom Prototyp zur Serie.

CNC-Bearbeitung

Swiss CNC Machining

Precision turning for small-diameter, slender, complex, ultra-high-precision parts — from Swiss watchmaking roots to medical, aerospace, and connectors.

Swiss CNC Machining Services is a precision turning technology designed for small-diameter, slender, highly complex, and ultra-high-precision parts. Originating in 19th-century Swiss watchmaking, it is now a core process for medical devices, aerospace, electronic connectors, and other high-end industries.

Swiss CNC machining on AIHFABS

What is Swiss CNC machining?

Swiss-type turning feeds bar through a guide bushing so the cut happens next to a support. That is why slender pins, bone screws, and connector contacts stay straight at L/D ratios that would chatter on a conventional lathe.

Live tools, sub-spindles, and bar feeders finish turning, milling, drilling, and back-working in one cycle. AIHFABS quotes Swiss when the part is small, long, and high-precision — especially in batches.

Swiss-type CNC turning of a small precision shaft

Swiss CNC capabilities

Diameter and L/D below are where Swiss earns the setup. Short, fat parts usually stay on a lathe.

Typical tolerance

±0.005 mm standard; down to ±0.0025 mm when specified

Diameter range

0.5–32 mm (some machines to 38 mm)

Best L/D

Advantage clearest above 3:1

Surface finish

Ra 0.2–0.8 μm typical as-machined

Quantity

Most cost-effective in medium-to-large batches

Lead time

From 3–7 business days; faster on repeat batches

Swiss surface finishes

As-turned Swiss surfaces are already fine. Passivation or light polish is the usual extra.

Swiss-turned precision pins

As turned (Swiss)

Ra 0.2–0.8 μm is typical straight off the guide bushing — often enough for medical and connector pins.

Small precision turned parts

Passivate

Stainless parts cleaned and passivated after the bar run, before bagging.

Finished Swiss-turned diameters

Selective polish

Local polish on sealing diameters or visible watch-grade faces.

How Swiss compares on AIHFABS

Swiss wins on slender, small-diameter work. Short chucked parts are cheaper on standard turning.

Verfahren Lieferzeit Toleranz Preis
CNC Machining ServicesMetals & plastics From 1–5 business days depending on complexity and finish ±0.05 mm standard; tighter on request with drawing callouts Instant quote · typical prototype from $45
CNC Milling ServicesMetals & plastics Simple 1–3 days; complex 3–7 days; batch 5–15 days ±0.01 mm standard; ±0.005 mm high precision Instant quote · typical prototype from $40
CNC Turning ServicesMetals & plastics Simple 1–3 days; complex 7–10 days ±0.01 mm standard; ±0.001–0.002 mm high precision Instant quote · typical prototype from $35
CNC Routing ServicesPlastics & composites From 2–4 business days Medium precision (~±0.025 mm class) Instant quote · typical panel job from $30
5-Axis CNC MachiningMetals & plastics From 3–7 business days depending on complexity ±0.02–0.05 mm on critical features when specified Instant quote · typical prototype from $80
Precision Machining ServicesMetals & plastics From 3–8 business days (complexity dependent) ±0.005–0.01 mm; Ra 0.4–1.6 μm; CPK ≥ 1.33 Instant quote · quoted to drawing / inspection grade
Large Part CNC MachiningMetals & plastics Quoted per project (fixturing and logistics driven) Around ±0.025 mm on critical features; large spans project-dependent Project quote · fixturing and logistics driven
Swiss CNC MachiningMetals & plastics From 3–7 business days; faster on repeat batches ±0.005 mm standard; down to ±0.0025 mm when specified Instant quote · most economical in batch runs

How we run Swiss jobs

Swiss-type CNC turning of a small precision shaft
  1. 1

    Step 1

    Bar stock feeds through a guide bushing that supports the cut point.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    The sliding headstock advances the bar while tools turn, mill, drill, and tap.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    A sub-spindle finishes back-end features without manual re-clamping.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Automatic bar feeding supports medium-to-high volume unattended runs.

Bar diameter, bushing, and live-tool list are set from the solid. First-article diameters are locked before the bar feeder runs unattended.

Optical or CMM checks cover the features you mark. Batch work is where the rate drops.

Advantages and Trade-offs

Advantages

  • Extreme precision — typically ±0.005 mm with guide-bushing support
  • Complete turning, milling, drilling, tapping, and back machining in one setup
  • Stable machining of slender parts with L/D > 3:1
  • Excellent as-machined surface quality and high automation for volume

Trade-offs

  • Setup is heavier than a simple lathe — one-off short parts rarely pay for Swiss.
  • Diameter is capped around 32–38 mm depending on the machine.
  • Very thin walls below about 0.5 mm need a design review.

Design guidelines for Swiss

Keep the part in the bushing’s comfort zone.

Feature Recommended practice
L/D ratio Swiss shines above about 3:1. Short stubby parts can stay on a lathe.
Walls Keep walls at least 0.5–0.8 mm unless we agree a micro-machining plan.
Holes Prefer standard drill and tap sizes to cut tool changes.
Tolerances Relax anything that does not locate or seal; it drops programming time.

Swiss CNC FAQ

What diameter range do you Swiss-turn?

About 0.5–32 mm on most cells, some machines to 38 mm. Larger diameters belong on standard turning.

What tolerance is typical?

±0.005 mm is a common planning value. ±0.0025 mm is quoted when specified and inspected.

Is Swiss only for medical parts?

No. Connectors, aerospace nozzles, watch parts, and any slender pin use the same cells.

Why is a batch cheaper than one piece?

Guide-bushing setup and live-tool CAM are front-loaded. Bar-fed runs amortize that cost.

Can you mill and tap on Swiss?

Yes — live tools and a sub-spindle cover flats, cross-holes, and back-working in one cycle.

Swiss CNC Machining — engineering review before production

Use these process-specific checks when preparing your model, drawing and quote request. The confirmed quotation and approved drawing define the requirements for your part.

Bar-fed geometry and support

Swiss machining is suited to repeated small turned parts, particularly slender features that benefit from support close to the cut. Stock diameter, material straightness and the relation between major and minor diameters influence the manufacturing plan.

Small features and burr control

Cross-holes, miniature threads and narrow grooves need a defined tooling and deburring strategy. Identify functional edges, clean internal passages and surfaces that contact a mating component. Small dimensions require an inspection method appropriate to the feature.

Acceptance checklist

Confirm material grade, thread details, burr limits, lot quantity and the dimensions needed for first-article approval. Regulated applications need their own documentation and validation requirements agreed before manufacture.

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