Re: Swiss Machines with live tooling?

Roger,

Yes, LOTS of these machines have been made--and are still being made.

A few mfrs: Citizen, Star, Tsugami, Tornos, KSI, Hanwha, Maier,
Gildemeister,Traub, Nomura, Hardinge.

Keep in mind that the term "swiss" lathe, or swiss CNC is not going to
limit your results as much as will be useful when looking for something
cheap/worthwhile to retrofit. Because as I mentioned, "swiss" only
means the head s "sliding", so there are gonna be a lot of machines
that fit the term "swiss" which won't be good candidates for your
intended use.

You're looking for the smaller and older patch pin panel types, IMO.
These were/are a PITA to keep running due mostly to the control issues.
But "the iron" is good. (Do keep in mind that with all the axes, this
is NOT a beginner level CNC retrofit... Beginners certainly can do it,
but it's not gonna be a simple as a 3 axis mill!)

I've never converted one. But I've seen them laying about enough over
the years to make the suggestion of looking for one...

Hope this helps,

Ballendo

P.S. Graham, Many of these machines are not very big, being intended
for use in making small parts... (Still may be too big/heavy for an
attic!) But wanted to say that this isn't necessarily a CNC bridgport
size item.(Though swiss machines are made in all sizes.) The ones I
have in mind can be considered "desktop", but it needs to be a STRONG
desktop, as these can be heavy for their size!

>In CCED, "vrsculptor" <vrsculptor@...> wrote:
>Were there many of these machines made? I've never seen one although
>I've heard the term. Can anyone suggest a brand or model to search on?
>I'm doing trains and something with live tooling and a couple of inch
>swing would be real useful.
>
>Has anyone here converted one?