To remain competitive, manufacturers must constantly deliver more in terms of part features, quality, selection, price, customization, delivery time, service, and more. For these reasons, machine shops are relying more heavily on advanced technologies such as CNC Swiss machining. CNC machining delivers efficiency gains and precision that are often not feasible with other technologies. CNC Swiss machining continues to evolve and new innovations are continually coming to the forefront. Below are some of the latest trends that will map out the future of CNC Swiss machining. Many of these concepts are being actively deployed across many industries, allowing manufacturers to reap the benefits of these technologies now as well as position themselves to remain competitive in the future.
The coming years are expected to be characterized by an increasing degree of product complexity and the need for production precision, flexibility, and efficiency. As a precision machining partner, Boston Centerless is well positioned to help our customers achieve these production goals. When CNC Swiss machines operate with our AccuRod® precision ground bar, the equipment is consistently processing stock with the exact same diameter and straightness with no inclusions. This has a tremendous impact on machining operations, resulting in significant precision and efficiency gains.
CNC Swiss machines are becoming more sophisticated and single machines are able to perform multiple tasks with fewer set-ups – in many cases a single setup. 5-axis machines have been – and continue to be - one of the latest technology trends in CNC machining. Multi-axis equipment enables a part to be completed with a single set-up, leading to more precise machining and fewer errors as well as faster cut times. For these reasons, 5-axis machines are able to fabricate higher complexity parts and often set manufacturers apart from the competition. One of the latest technology advancements in CNC machining has been the addition of a new axis – making some CNC Swiss equipment capable of 6-axis machining. While this technology is still in its relative infancy and is not fully adopted, it is expected to grow in the coming years.
The CAD/CAM software tools that support CNC Swiss machining continues to advance. Programs are becoming more powerful, user-friendly, and are more easily programmed to execute complex and intricate jobs. These tools are often able to be used in conjunction with other computer aids such as 3D viewing and modeling applications, improving the design process for CNC machined parts. These enhanced software programs result in higher operations efficiency and precision. Also, in many cases CNC software programs are becoming more cost-effective, allowing for further widespread use across a myriad of industries.
In recent years, the manufacturing industry has quickly evolved. Manufacturers must continuously assess new technologies to determine if they can add value and if they present an opportunity for the bottom line. As new innovations become available, machine shops must be able to adapt and incorporate them in order to offer customers the most cost-effective solution – without sacrificing quality or performance.
One manufacturing technology that has gained traction in recent years is 3D printing. 3D printing is rapidly advancing and is now being utilized by some CNC Swiss machine shops. 3D printing is a process that builds a three-dimensional object based on a CAD sketch. 3D printing is one of several technologies under the umbrella of Additive Manufacturing , named as such since it starts from nothing and builds layer by layer of material. The 3D printing machine uses the CAD data to add successive layers of liquid, powder, or other material to manufacture a 3D object. Fabricators are able to employ 3D printers to rapidly create prototypes as well as scale models for customers – accelerating the design step for new CNC machining projects and allowing for multiple iterations without sacrificing significant time. Additionally, 3D printing typically utilizes less raw materials, leading to less waste generation and lower costs. There are some instances where a combination of 3D printing and CNC machining may be the most cost-effective solution. For example, 3D printing may be used for prototyping a part or creating a scale model. Then, CNC Swiss machining is employed for full scale production of the product.
Automation continues to have a huge presence in the future of CNC Swiss machining. Automation comes in different forms with two examples being the automation rate and the level of automation. The automation rate in machine shops continues to increase with time and is the amount of machinery and equipment that is automated, replacing manual tasks. For example, cobots, collaborative robots that work side-by-side with humans, continue to gain traction in manufacturing and are an example of increased automation rate on the shop floor. Cobots are easily programed and have excellent dexterity, making this form of automation a good option for manufacturers that need to be nimble in their workflows. Many robots use real-time data and artificial intelligence to collect information and “remember” – making these technologies incredibly capable. Cobots and other forms of digital automation improve efficiencies and enable machine shops to keep pace with market demand.
The level of automation in manufacturing is also increasing with time, which means more tasks along the supply chain are being automated. For example, customers are demanding more transparency in their supply chains. Quality and traceability requirements are growing and technologies such as the IIoT enable this level of real-time data collection and remote tracking. In many cases, this data is available real-time via a dashboard with the desired output summarized for easier and quicker consumption.
Businesses are often focused on the 3 P’s: people, planet, and profit; thus, sustainability is a big focus area for manufacturing including CNC Swiss machining. Manufacturers are focusing more on their environmentally-friendliness and often work to reduce their footprint. Some ways that machine shops are increasing sustainability efforts include emissions reductions, lower energy consumption, and less waste generation. For example, many CNC Swiss machine shops are increasing the level of automation in their operations – yielding efficiency gains and less waste. Additionally, during the past several years of supply chain disruptions, CNC machine shops often have a greater appreciation for raw materials and the value of minimizing waste. Lastly, some CNC machine shops are working with OEMs to identify opportunities to reuse and recycle materials at the end of a product’s life cycle.
Is your team leveraging the power of CNC Swiss Precision Machining?
If so, contact the team at Boston Centerless to learn more about our precision ground bar and our SwissAssist program.
CNC Swiss Machining is the fastest growing segment in today’s machine tool market. The downside to this growth is the lack of skilled machine operators in the marketplace. Boston Centerless’ skilled material and SwissAssist can help bridge this gap.
SwissAssist is a program Boston Centerless offers that provides PartMaker SwissCam training (Citizen recommended cam software), as well as CNC Swiss Machine training - bringing your employees up to speed faster.
A CNC Swiss machine works only as well as the operators and programmers who run it. To enable maximum productivity, SwissAssist provides detailed instruction from the basic principles to the most challenging Aerospace and Medical applications such as thread whirling, helical milling and polar milling to name a few.
Our goal is to keep your company current in an ever-changing industry. We provide assistance with the latest software, tools, machines, and materials as well as cutting fluids. We also offer support with maintaining the workability of your programs and machines. Visit our website for SwissAssist Case Studies.
Boston Centerless provides solutions that enhance our customers' manufacturing processes. With over 65 years of experience with precision grinding, we grind the tightest tolerances in the industry. We have proven experience with an extensive range of materials, and our manufacturing solutions include:
Contact us today at (781) 994-5000 to see how we can help with your next precision bar material project, or click here for a quote.