Precision Swiss Screw Machining Services

CNC Swiss screw machining is a precision turning process that feeds bar stock through a guide bushing to produce small, complex cylindrical parts in high volumes.

A sliding headstock advances the bar through the bushing, which sits directly beside the cutting tool and supports the material at the point of cut. This eliminates the deflection that limits conventional lathes on long, thin parts.

Live tooling and a sub-spindle let the machine turn, mill, drill, and thread a part complete in one setup, holding tolerances to ±0.0001 in (±0.0025 mm) on diameters from 0.5 to 32 mm.

The guide bushing is the difference. Swiss machining supports the bar right next to the cutting tool, while conventional turning holds the workpiece only in a chuck or collet at one end.

That support lets Swiss lathes machine long, thin parts, length-to-diameter ratios beyond 3:1, without the chatter or taper that unsupported turning produces on the same geometry. Conventional turning stays more economical on larger-diameter or shorter parts where deflection is not a factor.

Swiss machines also carry live tooling and a sub-spindle as standard, so milling, cross-drilling, and threading happen in the same cycle instead of a second operation.

Swiss screw machining works with ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastics to produce custom parts in a wide range of sizes and shapes.

Stainless steel (303, 304, 316, 17-4 PH) is the default for medical and food-contact parts. Free-cutting brass (C360) machines fast and holds a clean finish for connectors and fittings. Aluminum (6061, 7075) and titanium (Grade 2, Grade 5) cover lightweight and high-strength applications.

Engineering plastics such as PEEK and POM, and exotic alloys such as Inconel and Hastelloy, are available for specialized performance requirements. Material selection should match the part’s load, environment, and cost target.

Standard Swiss lathes hold general tolerances to ±0.0005 in (±0.013 mm) and tight tolerances to ±0.0001 in (±0.0025 mm), with secondary grinding available for sub-micron requirements.

Bar diameter typically ranges from 0.5 to 32 mm, and the guide bushing supports length-to-diameter ratios beyond 3:1, well past what a fixed-headstock lathe can hold without a steady rest.

Our Swiss lathes run 7 to 9 axes: X and Z on the main turret, a live-tool C-axis, and a sub-spindle with its own axes for back-working, at spindle speeds up to 10,000 RPM depending on diameter and material.

Swiss screw machining is used across multiple industries that require small, high-precision components.

Medical device makers use it for implant components, surgical instrument parts, and diagnostic equipment pins. Electronics manufacturers use it for connector pins and contact terminals. Aerospace and automotive programs use it for small fasteners, sensor housings, and fuel system components, and luxury goods makers use it for watch stems and case parts.

Yes. Swiss screw machining is cost-effective for medium to high-volume runs because parts complete in one setup without moving between machines, and bar feeders keep spindles running unattended.

Setup and programming cost more upfront than a simple manual lathe job, but that cost spreads across the run. Faster cycle times and fewer secondary operations bring the per-part cost down as volume increases, which is why Swiss machining often provides the best value on complex parts produced in quantity.

Swiss screw machining is not the right process for every part. Diameter is the main constraint: our machines top out around 32 mm, so larger-diameter or bulky parts need conventional CNC turning or milling instead.

Low-volume orders may not justify Swiss machining’s setup and programming cost; a handful of simple parts is often cheaper on a manual or conventional CNC lathe. Parts that do not need tight tolerance or a small diameter also gain little from the guide-bushing setup, since standard turning holds a wider tolerance at lower cost.

Guide-bushing machining also requires bar stock, so one-off parts from large blanks or castings fall outside its scope. Our engineering team flags these cases during DFM review and recommends the better-suited process.

We accept STEP, IGES, and SLDPRT files, with STEP preferred for turned parts. Upload your CAD file for an instant quote based on material, diameter, and feature complexity.

For complex parts, an engineer reviews the file within 24 hours with DFM notes on guide-bushing feasibility and a refined quote. Accept the quote online and production enters the schedule immediately, with typical first-article parts shipping within 1 to 2 weeks.