Swiss Screw Technology delivers the high precision demanded by control and valve components

Density. Concentration. Flow rates. Liquid levels. Those are just a few of the parameters regulated by controls and valves found in countless types of processing equipment used in industries and municipalities. Components such as positioners, actuators, valve controls, and pressure regulators must be of the highest precision to deliver reliable performance in critical operations. Components manufactured with Swiss screw technology provide an added measure of confidence throughout the control loop.

Swiss screw machines create components of unparalleled accuracy in addition to a number of other advantages for control and valve manufacturers.

Critical tolerances – Valve bodies and related control accessories must meet tight tolerances to ensure proper liquid flow. Swiss screw technology provides superior tolerances in these components through better support for all stock material during the manufacturing process. That’s because the part moves while the tooling is stationary, resulting in reduced risk of the support material moving for precision accuracy in meeting required tolerances. 

Component geometries – Hardware found in controls and valves varies as much as the types of control processes. Swiss screw machines can produce a broad range of these complex, intricate parts faster and with extraordinary precision. The key is the technology’s capabilities for up to 6-axis machining, including an additional rotation around the Z axis for faster cut times. Swiss screw machines also offer positioning for component feature contouring that might otherwise have to be machined separately.

Material versatility – Materials used in control and valve applications must stand up to a variety of liquids including harsh chemicals and other solutions. Swiss screw machining can be used to machine the materials required such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium and a range of alloys. 

Unmatched accuracy – Swiss screw machining offers the dimensional control and other properties required by the many different kinds of automotive parts. That’s because the technology provides better support for all stock material – the part moves while the tooling is stationary. The result is reduced risk of the support material moving for precision accuracy. 

For more than 50 years, Sheldon Precision has been a leader in Swiss screw machine technology. As an independent manufacturer, we can produce the most challenging and complex Swiss screw machine components for your control and valve applications.

For more information on how we can help with your control and valve components, contact Sheldon Precision today. Contact

Automotive industry turns to Swiss Screw Technology for precision components

In today’s automotive industry, one new vehicle can have as many as 30,000 components, from major engine parts to the smallest fasteners. Of course, these components use many different materials and many different manufacturing processes. When it comes to high precision components in a variety of metal alloys, more and more automotive manufacturers are tuning in to the high performance of Swiss screw technology.

Swiss screw machines deliver the accuracy and reliability required by automotive components, with a number of other advantages for manufacturers.

More options for part geometries – Swiss screw machines feature up to 6-axis machining capabilities, to produce even the most complex automotive parts faster and with extraordinary precision. With 6-axis technology, Swiss screw machining offers positioning for component feature contouring and other processes that might otherwise have to be machined separately, saving significant time to meet tight delivery schedules.

Material versatility – With so many parts in one vehicle, the variety of materials used by automotive manufacturers is endless. Swiss screw machining is ideal for all kinds of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, titanium and a range of alloys. Multiple parts in different materials can be produced fast and efficiently.

Unmatched accuracy – Swiss screw machining offers the dimensional control and other properties required by the many different kinds of automotive parts. That’s because the technology provides better support for all stock material – the part moves while the tooling is stationary. The result is reduced risk of the support material moving for precision accuracy. 

For more than 50 years, Sheldon Precision has been a leader in Swiss screw machine technology. As an independent manufacturer, we can produce the most challenging and complex Swiss screw machine components for your automotive applications.

For more information on how we can help with your automotive components, contact Sheldon Precision today.  Contact Us

Telecommunications industry calls for high precision of Swiss Screw technology to connect the world 

The telecommunications industry touches virtually every aspect of society around the globe. Cell phones. Texting. Internet. Video streaming. Teleconferencing. The high technology products that make it all possible – broadband networks, mobile communications, satellites and more – demand precision components to assure performance, reliability and accuracy. That’s where Swiss screw technology in the production of these components can play a critical role.

In this post, we look at some of the benefits of the technology for manufacturing components used in the telecommunications industry.

Versatility – Today’s telecommunication industry utilizes everything from wire and radio, to optical and other electromagnetic systems to transmit data, audio and video. That means a wide variety of materials used to create these systems. Swiss screw machining is ideal for components made of titanium, copper, lithium, tin, silver, gold, nickel, and other high tech alloys.

Precision accuracy – So many components required in a telecommunications system demand the highest accuracy to perform to the highest standards. Terminals, such as input and output devices, processors and peripheral devices require exacting physical tolerances of the components. Swiss screw technology can meet such tolerance requirements because of exceptional stability in the manufacturing process. Simply put, Swiss screw machines better support the stock material during production. The part moves while the tooling is stationary. There is less risk of the support material moving resulting in high precision accuracy on even the smallest telecommunications component.

Efficiency – Swiss screw machines have the ability to perform three or four operations simultaneously such as cutting, drilling, and tapping, that might otherwise have to be machined separately. Even complex, intricate parts can be produced faster and with outstanding efficiency, saving time in the production schedule.

For more than 50 years, Sheldon Precision has been a leader in Swiss screw machine technology. As an independent manufacturer, we can produce the most challenging and complex Swiss screw machine products for your telecommunications components.

For more information on how we can help with your specific applications, contact Sheldon Precision today.  Contact Us 

Swiss Screw Machines produce the precision demanded by today’s electronic components

While electronic, telecommunications, and wireless products become smaller and smaller, the demand for precise components grows bigger every year. Today’s transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, resistors, capacitors and so many other devices require tolerances that were unheard of just a few years ago. That’s why more electronics manufacturers are connecting with the benefits of Swiss screw technology for the precision and flexibility they need.

Swiss screw machines provide the capability to manufacture a wide variety of electronic components to most any size and tolerance, for high and low run volume. In this post, we look at some of the benefits of the technology for electronic component manufacturing.

Smaller components with tighter tolerances – Accuracy and stability of microelectronics and miniature components is critical to product performance. Therefore, physical tolerances of the components are also critical. Swiss screw technology is able to meet tighter tolerance requirements due to better support for all stock material during the production process. The part moves while the tooling is stationary. There is less risk of the support material moving resulting in high precision accuracy on even the smallest component.

Varying parameters – Electronic products consist of numerous components, from resistors, capacitors and inductors, to transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, each with different tolerance parameters, sizes, shapes and so forth. Components require efficiency and flexibility in production to meet the different specifications in a timely manner. With up to 6-axis machining capabilities, Swiss screw machines can produce complex, intricate components faster and with outstanding precision.

Material flexibility – Copper, lithium, tin, silver, gold, nickel, and aluminum. Those are just a few of the materials used in the electronics industry. These materials have special characteristics, ranging from superior conductivity to insulating properties, necessary for use in electronic components. Swiss screw machining offers the dimensional control, surface smoothness and other properties required by the many different kinds of electronic components.

For more than 50 years, Sheldon Precision has been a leader in Swiss screw machine technology. As an independent manufacturer, we can produce the most challenging and complex Swiss screw machine products for your electronic components.

For more information on how we can help with your specific applications, contact Sheldon Precision today. Contact Us

Whether it’s firearms manufacturing, aerospace engineering or any type of defense system component in between, precision in production can never be questioned. And we are not just talking about components for small arms and rifles such as firing pins, fuzing components, takedown pins, etc. Virtually every component on tanks, jets, rockets and weaponry is precision and reliability critical.

That’s why manufacturing and design engineers – not to mention purchasing managers and quality managers – should hone in on Swiss screw machine technology for the components they require. Accuracy, precision, quality and dependability are just a few of the hallmarks of Swiss screw machined parts. And that can make all the difference.

So what are some of the benefits of Swiss screw machine technology?

 To begin, we should understand that there are a number of different types of Swiss screw machines including CNC and cam driven technology. From the latest, state of the art 6-axis CNC milling machine – which enables an additional rotation around the Z axis for faster cut times – to tried and true Swiss screw lathes, the technology is precisely what firearms and defense applications require. For example:

One of the greatest benefits of Swiss screw machining is better support for all stock material. This is because the part moves while the tooling is stationary. The result is fewer defective parts because there is reduced risk of the support material moving.

Swiss style tools also offer superior tolerances. They use a process called guide bushing which enhances rigidity, thus producing higher tolerances.

Swiss style machines can handle very small parts and are often the most affordable option for such components in firearm and defense applications. The technology can produce long runs of small, complex components faster and more cost-effectively than tradition machines.

Swiss screw machines can make complex parts using simultaneous operations – three or four tool can cut at the same time, for unmatched efficiency.

For more than 50 years, Sheldon Precision has been a leader in Swiss screw machine technology. As an independent manufacturer, we can produce the most challenging and complex Swiss screw machine components for your firearm or defense applications…confidently and confidentially.

For more information on how we can help you increase quality, precision and output, contact Sheldon Precision today.

2020 was a strange and difficult year for individuals and business.  In precision manufacturing, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on new challenges and resulted in advances in manufacturing. Workforce reductions and restriction have placed greater emphasis on computer-aided manufacturing and automation.  While some aspects of precision manufacturing such as planning, engineering and programming can carry on remotely, Swiss screw machine manufacturing must occur at the facilities like Sheldon Precision where the battery of Swiss screw machines (single spindle Swiss screw machines as well CNC Swiss screw machines like Escomatic) are located.

Skilled CNC machine operators  and CNC programmers are still in demand and as the economy in North American and around the world starts on the path to recovery. manufacturing will rise. Manufactures like Sheldon Precision are leveraging automation, machines, computer software and skilled operators and engineers to maintain quality and output.

What advances and trends are expected in 2021? Here are four CNC trends to watch for next year.

1. Manufacturing as a service will continue to gain popularity 

Manufacturing as a service (MaaS) has found its way into the CNC industry over the last few years and its popularity will only increase moving forward.  MaaS uses networked resources to accomplish manufacturing tasks.  CNC machines are located in a central location and the cost of maintenance and operation is spread across subscribers.  MaaS gives companies added agility, productivity and cost savings through reduced labor expenses.  Since there has been a large fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, companies will start to embrace a new network of supply chains by using MaaS.  

2.   The IIOT will dominate emerging technology 

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) allows networked CNC machines to communicate with one another without needing a human operator behind the scenes.  IoT has recently become  part of the CNC machining industry.  By using IIoT, companies can make manufacturing quicker, safer and produce higher quality products.  The level of process automation in 2021 will rise greatly due to the manufacturing industry trying to find new ways to increase efficiency and reduce waste.  

3.   The Use of 6-axis Machining will expand rapidly 

The 6-axis CNC milling machine first came on to the scene in 2019.  For many years before this machine was released, the 3-axis machine was the machine everyone chose to use.  Recently, the 5-axis machine has become popular due to the seamless rotations around the X and Y axes.  Now, the 6-axis allows an additional rotation around the Z axis leading to faster cut times.  

4.  An increased focus on waste product reduction 

Raw materials have been a precious resources for manufacturing and in 2021 there will be increased attention to wise materials usage.  One new strategy is to create scale models of components using 3D printing methods rather than trial and error design on CNC equipment.  

Sheldon Precision continues to focus on quality and continuous improvement in our manufacturing resources and process. As new machines and technology in precision Swiss manufacturing emerge, Sheldon Precision will leverage these resources for customers in all industries including medical device component manufacturing, defense systems component manufacturing and many others.  Contact us today for your custom quote https://sheldonprecision.com/request-a-quote/

Article includes information adapted from: https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/27410/20200922/predicting-2021-trends-in-the-cnc-machining-industry.htm

 Manufacturers in many industries are recognizing the benefits of Swiss style tools such as cutting costs and being more efficient. 

A number of industries are starting to now use Swiss type machining.  The durable goods industry has discovered that Swiss-lathes are highly beneficial and help improve output.   The electronics and medical industries are becoming more reliant on Swiss lathes and other Swiss machining tools. 

There are a lot of Swiss machining tools on the market, all which have major benefits.  The Swiss style lathe has a turning center that allows the part to move in the Z-axis, while the tool is stationary.  Conventional CNC lathes have the part stationary while the tool moves.  One of the major differences is the holding mechanism is not exposed to the bed or the tooling. 

Here are some of the other benefits of using a Swiss type machine:

1. Better Support for all Stock Material

This is the greatest benefit of Swiss style lathes.  It provides much better support than a traditional lathe. There should be fewer defective parts due to the reduced risk of the support material moving.  If the material is not adequately supported, an uneven cut will result.  This is especially a problem if you are trying to create a thread for any cylindrical object.  The threads will be useless if the depth of the cut is not uniform across the entire length of the threaded area.

2. Superior Tolerance

Swiss style lathes use the process called guide brushing which enhances rigidity and leads to a higher tolerance level. 

3. Ability to Work with Smaller Parts

Standard lathes are not ideal when working with small parts.  You would need to use more expensive machining processes such as making laser cuts.  Swiss style lathes are able to handle very small parts and are often the most affordable option to make cuts. 

The latest Swiss lathes are fully CNC operated and often have additional capacities such as milling and laser cutting.  Not only can both tuning and milling be performed on a Swiss machine but they can be performed simultaneously.  A Swiss lathe allows for the machining of intricate designs utilizing drilling, knurling and other unique processes on a single machine. 

Manufacturers with Swiss machines can produce long runs of small, complex parts faster and cheaper than traditional lathes.  This is an ideal addition to boost efficiency, productivity and capabilities in your business.  Swiss lathes are great for high production work, often with cycle times under a minute.  An Escomatic machine is an ideal Swiss type screw machine for turning accurate parts produced in high volume with diameters up to 5mm.  Parts machined on a Swiss lathe are often found in the electronics, medical device and defense industry.

Sheldon Precision prides themselves on producing highly engineered parts.  Contact us today to request a custom quote: https://sheldonprecision.com/request-a-quote/

Article adapted from: https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2020/02/03/understanding-swiss-type-machining/29461/