Mar 19 , 2026
When a shaft must be turned to a diameter of 8 mm with a tolerance of ±0.003 mm, conventional CNC lathes reach their limits. The CNC Swiss Type Lathe — also known as a sliding headstock lathe or Swiss screw machine — was engineered precisely for this challenge. By feeding the workpiece through a guide bushing positioned millimetres from the cutting tool, it eliminates deflection and delivers micron-level accuracy on the most demanding precision components.
In this guide you will learn how Swiss-type CNC lathes work, which axis configuration is right for your parts, how to interpret key specifications, and how Remcor Technology's SA-series machines compare to the market.
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A CNC Swiss type lathe is a multi-axis turning centre in which the workpiece stock is fed axially through a carbide or bronze guide bushing while the cutting tools remain radially fixed at the bushing exit. The headstock — and the entire bar stock — slide in the Z direction, while the cross-slide tools handle X and Y movements.
This architecture means the unsupported length of the workpiece between the guide bushing and the cutting tool is always minimal (typically 1–3 mm), regardless of total part length. The result: virtually zero deflection, superior surface finish, and the ability to machine parts with length-to-diameter ratios up to 20:1 at full speed.
KEY FACT: A CNC Swiss lathe can achieve positional tolerances of ±0.003 mm and surface roughness values of Ra 0.4 µm — performance that is impossible to replicate on a conventional slant-bed CNC lathe for long, slender parts.
Swiss Lathe vs. Conventional CNC Lathe — At a Glance:
| Feature | CNC Swiss Type Lathe | Conventional CNC Lathe |
|---|---|---|
| Headstock movement | Slides along Z-axis | Fixed |
| Guide bushing | Yes — minimises overhang | No |
| Best part diameter | Up to 32 mm | Up to 500+ mm |
| Length-to-diameter ratio | Up to 20:1 | Up to 4:1 |
| Typical tolerance | ±0.003 mm | ±0.01–0.05 mm |
| Operations per setup | Turning, milling, drilling, tapping, back-working | Turning, facing, boring |
| Bar-fed automation | Standard | Optional |
| Ideal application | Precision small parts, medical, aerospace | Shafts, flanges, housings |
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1. Bar loading: A bar feeder loads raw stock (round, hex, or square) into the sliding headstock collet chuck.
2. Guide bushing support: The bar advances through the guide bushing, which is adjusted to provide a clearance of 0.01–0.02 mm — just enough for lubrication, tight enough to eliminate lateral vibration.
3. Z-axis feed: The headstock slides forward at programmed feedrates, feeding the bar past the stationary tool gang plate or turret.
4. Simultaneous machining: Multiple tools engage the part at the same time — e.g., an OD turning tool and a cross-drilling spindle — cutting cycle time dramatically.
5. Sub-spindle transfer (on 5/6-axis models): The finished front end is gripped by the sub-spindle; the part is parted off and flipped automatically for back-face operations.
6. Part ejection: The completed part drops into a collection bin or conveyor, and the cycle repeats — unattended, 24/7.
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Remcor Technology manufactures three SA-series Swiss-type CNC lathes, covering entry-level precision work through the most complex multi-operation parts. All models are built in Wuhan, China, and are backed by Remcor's 18 years of machine-tool engineering experience and more than 5,000 global installations.
| Specification | SA-263 | SA-203 |
|---|---|---|
| Max. machining diameter | φ 26 mm | φ 20 mm |
| Max. spindle speed (main) | 10,000 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Main spindle motor | 2.2 / 3.7 kW | 2.2 / 3.7 kW |
| Turning tools | 6 × □12 mm | 6 × □12 mm |
| Face-drilling tools (front) | 5 positions | 5 positions |
| Rapid traverse (Z1) | 32 m/min | 32 m/min |
| Machine footprint | 2300 × 1300 mm | 2300 × 1300 mm |
| Machine weight | 2,600 kg | 2,600 kg |
Best for: Shafts, pins, and turned parts requiring straightforward OD turning, facing, and single-direction drilling without secondary operations.
The 5-axis variant adds a driven cross-turret (5 × ER16 live tool positions) capable of milling, cross-drilling, and slotting, plus a back-working spindle with 8 ER16 stations. A single part can now emerge fully machined on all faces in one uninterrupted cycle.
| Specification | SA-265 | SA-205 |
|---|---|---|
| Max. machining diameter | φ 26 mm | φ 20 mm |
| Cross-turret live tools | 5 × ER16 | 5 × ER16 |
| Cross-turret spindle speed | 6,000 rpm | 6,000 rpm |
| Cross-turret motor | 1 kW | 1 kW |
| Back-working stations | 8 × ER16 | 8 × ER16 |
| Sub-spindle speed | 8,000 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Sub-spindle motor | 1.5 / 2.2 kW | 1.5 / 2.2 kW |
| Max. milling depth | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Max. slot width | 1.5 mm | 1.5 mm |
Best for: Hydraulic fittings, connector pins, complex fasteners — any part needing both front and back machining with cross-milled features.
The flagship SA-206/266 adds a full C-axis (0.001° resolution) on both main and sub-spindles, enabling multi-face milling, polygon turning, and helical groove machining. This is the go-to choice for aerospace precision components, medical screws, watch shafts, and micro-hydraulic bodies.
| Specification | SA-266 | SA-206 |
|---|---|---|
| Max. machining diameter | φ 26 mm | φ 20 mm |
| Max. spindle speed (main) | 10,000 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Main spindle motor | 2.2 / 3.7 kW | 2.2 / 3.7 kW |
| Turning tools | 6 × □12 mm | 6 × □12 mm |
| Face-drilling tools (front) | 5 positions | 5 positions |
| Face-drilling (rear) | 2 pcs (max 5) | 2 pcs (max 5) |
| Rapid traverse (Z1) | 32 m/min | 32 m/min |
| C-axis indexing (main) | 0.001° | 0.001° |
| C-axis indexing (sub) | 0.001° | 0.001° |
| Max. headstock stroke (guide bushing) | 255 mm | 255 mm |
| Max. headstock stroke (no guide bushing) | 2.5D | 2.5D |
| Max. tapping (fixed) | M8 × P1.25 | M8 × P1.25 |
| Max. tapping (live) | M6 × P1.0 | M6 × P1.0 |
| Coolant capacity | 170 L | 170 L |
| Machine footprint | 2300 × 1300 mm | 2300 × 1300 mm |
| Machine weight | 2,600 kg | 2,600 kg |
Best for: Medical bone screws, aerospace precision shafts, watchmaking arbors, miniature valve bodies — parts where every surface demands tight tolerance and complex geometry.
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Swiss lathes handle a wider range of materials than most turning centres, thanks to the rigid guide-bushing support system:
- Stainless Steel (303, 304, 316L, 17-4 PH) — Medical instruments, food-grade fittings
- Aluminium (6061, 7075) — Aerospace brackets, electronics housings
- Titanium (Grade 2, Grade 5) — Implants, aerospace fasteners
- Brass & Copper alloys — Electrical contacts, plumbing fittings
- Carbon & Alloy Steel (1018, 4140, 4340) — Transmission shafts, hydraulic parts
- Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy — High-temperature aerospace/chemical components
- Engineering Plastics (PEEK, Delrin, PTFE) — Medical devices, insulators
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| Industry | Typical Parts | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Medical & Dental | Bone screws, dental implants, cannulas | Biocompatibility, ±0.003 mm tolerance |
| Aerospace & Defence | Actuator pins, fuel system fittings | Traceability, exotic materials |
| Automotive | Fuel injector needles, ABS sensor shafts | High-volume, tight Cpk |
| Electronics & Connectors | Coax contacts, semiconductor pins | Micro-tolerances, burr-free |
| Watchmaking & Optics | Arbors, stems, optical mounts | Sub-micron roundness |
| Hydraulics & Pneumatics | Spool valves, piston rods | Sealing surface finish Ra < 0.4 µm |
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Select a machine whose spindle bore exceeds your maximum bar diameter by at least 10%. For parts up to φ 20 mm, the SA-203/205/206 is ideal; for up to φ 26 mm, choose the SA-263/265/266.
If you only need OD turning, facing, and axial drilling, a 3-axis machine suffices. Add cross-milling or back-working and you need 5-axis. Full multi-face contour milling demands 6-axis with C-axis control.
All SA-series machines achieve ±0.003 mm with standard tooling. For Ra < 0.2 µm, specify a high-precision guide bushing and use CBN insert tooling (available as an option from Remcor).
SA-series machines accept standard 12-foot bar feeders for lights-out production. Remcor's integrated auto-loading systems can sustain 24-hour unattended runs, cutting labour costs by 60–80%.
For stainless steel and titanium, ensure the machine you select supports high-pressure coolant (≥ 70 bar) — available as an option on all SA-series models — to ensure chip evacuation and tool life.
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Turn-mill centres (e.g., Mazak Integrex, DMG Mori NTX) excel at large, heavy parts up to 500 mm diameter. CNC Swiss lathes own the sub-32 mm diameter world. The guide bushing of a Swiss lathe cannot be replicated by any B-axis turning centre when long slender parts are involved — the physics simply do not allow it. If your parts are below 32 mm and require multi-face machining, a Swiss lathe is almost always the faster, cheaper, and more accurate solution.
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- 18 years of precision machine tool manufacturing in Wuhan, China
- 5,000+ machines installed across 40+ countries
- 2-year full-machine warranty + lifetime technical support
- 100% factory run-off testing — 24-hour continuous run before shipment
- OEM & custom configurations — special tool stations, high-pressure coolant, robotic integration
- On-site installation & training included with every machine
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A: A CNC Swiss Type Lathe is a precision CNC turning machine featuring a sliding headstock and a guide bushing positioned at the cutting zone. The workpiece advances through the guide bushing, keeping the unsupported length — and therefore deflection — near zero. This design enables tolerances of ±0.003 mm on long, slender parts that would flex and vibrate on any conventional lathe.
A: In a conventional CNC lathe the headstock is fixed; the turret moves to cut. In a Swiss lathe the headstock and bar stock slide axially while the cutting tool is stationary at the guide bushing exit. This makes Swiss lathes vastly superior for small-diameter long parts, while conventional lathes handle larger, shorter workpieces better.
A: A 3-axis machine covers basic turning, facing, and axial drilling. A 5-axis model adds a live-tool turret and sub-spindle for back-working. A 6-axis configuration includes full C-axis contouring on both spindles, enabling complex milled features, polygon turning, and helical grooves — ideal for medical, aerospace, and precision instrument parts.
A: Swiss lathes excel at precision shafts, pins, screws, medical implants, watch components, hydraulic valve spools, connector contacts, and any small part (diameter ≤ 32 mm) requiring tight tolerances and multiple operations completed in a single setup.
A: Yes. With a bar feeder loaded, all SA-series Remcor Swiss lathes can run lights-out for an entire shift. Remcor's coil-fed automation systems extend this to 24-hour continuous production with automatic bar loading.
A: Pricing depends on axis configuration, bar capacity, and optional equipment (high-pressure coolant, bar feeder, robotic part collection). Contact Remcor Technology at info@remcortechnology.com or call +86-176-1277-1227 for a customised quotation.
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Whether you are entering precision small-part manufacturing for the first time or upgrading an existing Swiss lathe fleet, Remcor Technology's SA-series offers the right capability at an unbeatable price-to-performance ratio. Our engineering team will help you select the correct axis count, bar capacity, and tooling package — and back it up with on-site installation and lifetime support.
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