Who Are the Top 10 Swiss Turning & Swiss Lathe Machine Shops?
Finding a Swiss turning shop that consistently delivers high-precision components can be a significant challenge. Sourcing a reliable manufacturing partner who understands the complexities of your project is often a difficult and time-consuming process.
At King Precision, we combine decades of experience with modern Swiss machining technology to produce high-quality components. We’re committed to working as an extension of your business to ensure your project’s success. Read on to learn more about our company and other leading Swiss turning shops in the industry.
List of Swiss Turning/Lathe Machine Shops
King Precision Solutions – Erie, PA
Ripley Machine – Western New York
Cox Manufacturing – San Antonio, Texas
American Precision Tool – Pacoima, CA
MPI Model Products – Albuquerque, NM
Pacific Swiss & Mfg., Inc. – Clackamas, OR
Shamrock Precision – Dallas, Texas
GAM Swiss Turning – Sunrise, FL
Swiss Turning/Lathe Machine Shops FAQ
Q: What is a Swiss-type lathe or turning machine?
A: A Swiss-type lathe is a specialized CNC machine where the headstock moves the workpiece along the Z-axis. The material is supported by a guide bushing, allowing the cutting tool to work very close to the point of support. This design minimizes deflection and vibration, making it ideal for machining long, slender parts with high precision.
Q: What are the main advantages of using a Swiss machine shop?
A: The primary benefits include exceptional precision, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. Swiss machines can perform multiple operations in a single setup, which reduces production time and eliminates the need for secondary operations like grinding or deburring. This results in tighter tolerances and superior surface finishes.
Q: What types of parts are best suited for Swiss turning?
A: Swiss turning is ideal for producing large quantities of small, complex, and high-precision parts. It is particularly effective for components with intricate geometries, fine details, and tight tolerances, which are common in the medical, aerospace, and electronics industries.
Q: How should I choose a Swiss turning machine shop?
A: When selecting a Swiss turning machine shop, consider their experience and track record with complex projects. It is also important to ensure they have robust quality control processes and are equipped with modern, well-maintained machinery to guarantee precision and reliability.
Comparison of Swiss Turning/Lathe Machine Shops
|
Company |
Capabilities | Location | ITAR? |
Additional Services |
|
King Precision Solutions |
Swiss turning, CNC machine shop, and polish shop | Erie, PA | Yes |
Yes including tool and mold polishing |
|
Ripley Machine |
Swiss turning, CNC turning, CNC milling, and grinding | Ripley, NY | No |
Yes |
|
Cox Manufacturing |
CNC machining, Swiss turning | San Antonio, TX | Yes |
Yes |
|
GrovTech Machining |
Swiss Turning | Wood Village, OR | No |
Yes |
|
American Precision Tool |
Swiss turning | Pacoima, CA | No |
Yes |
|
MPI Model Products |
Swiss turning, CNC milling | Albuquerque, NM | No |
CNC Milling |
|
Pacific Swiss & Mfg., Inc. |
Swiss turning, CNC Swiss micro miniature machining | Clackamas, OR | Yes |
No |
|
Shamrock Precision |
Swiss turning | Dallas, TX | Yes |
Yes |
|
MSM Machine |
Swiss turning, CNC milling, CNC turning | Houston, TX | No |
Yes |
|
GAM Swiss Turning |
Swiss turning, CNC machining | Sunrise, FL | No |
Yes |
#1. King Precision Solutions – Erie, PA
King Precision is a Swiss lathe and CNC machine shop in Erie, Pennsylvania. The company manufactures complex parts with tight tolerances for a variety of industries. Its machinists combine decades of experience with modern software and equipment to deliver high-quality components. This approach has made Swiss turning a central part of the company’s services.
The shop operates Tornos GT-26 and GT-32 models for its Swiss lathe machining services. These machines consistently manufacture components with tight tolerances and produce a high yield of acceptable parts. King Precision works with a range of materials, including exotic alloys like titanium, Inconel, and various stainless steels.
King Precision is ITAR-registered and maintains an ISO 9001-compliant quality system to ensure accuracy for all projects. Its quality lab uses Keyence laser measuring systems, OGP microscopes, and a CMM for dimensional inspections. Full traceability is maintained through a routing system that tracks all material and process certifications.
#2. Ripley Machine – Ripley, New York
Ripley Machine & Tool is a Swiss turning machine shop located in Ripley, New York. The company invested in CNC Swiss machines to increase its production efficiency and overall throughput. This focus on Swiss turning has allowed them to reduce cycle times while removing the need for secondary operations.
The shop utilizes automatic bar feeding and lights-out machining to increase its operational uptime. This ISO-certified facility machines a variety of materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and steel alloys. Ripley Machine typically quotes a four-week lead time and provides project quotes within 24 hours.
#3. Cox Manufacturing – San Antonio, Texas
Cox Manufacturing specializes in Swiss screw machining for ultra-precision and miniature parts. The company produces high-volume screw machined products and can machine up to 1.7 million components weekly. Their facility uses an extensive selection of equipment, including 12-axis CNC Swiss machines.
The machines they have are well-suited for producing miniature parts and components with long, slender profiles. They work with a wide range of materials, including various metals, alloys, and plastics. Automatic bar loaders are used to increase production efficiency and reduce unit costs for customers.
#4. GrovTech Machining – Wood Village, Oregon
GrovTech Machining is a screw machine shop that provides precision Swiss machining services. The company supports both high-mix, low-volume jobs and high-volume production runs. They utilize a fleet of over a dozen Citizen Swiss machines for their manufacturing processes.
Their turning centers can machine parts with diameters from under 1/16 inch up to 1-1/2 inches. These machines are capable of producing complex turned parts with fewer operations. This process reduces handling time and associated costs for completed components.
#5. American Precision Tool – Pacoima, CA
American Precision Tool provides Swiss machining services from its facility in Los Angeles. The company uses both manual and CNC Swiss lathes to manufacture high volumes of small parts. Its capabilities include cross milling, cross drilling, slotting, and reaming for machined components.
The shop handles projects from the prototype stage through large production runs. American Precision Tool also manages secondary operations such as plating, grinding, and powder coating. They offer JIT delivery and logistics management for a predictable supply of parts.
#6. MPI Model Products – Albuquerque, NM
Model Products Inc. specializes in close-tolerance precision machining for miniature to medium-sized parts. The company provides CNC turning and milling services primarily for the defense and aerospace industries. Its quality assurance procedures comply with AS9100 and MIL-I-45208 standards.
This small, women-owned business is structured to handle short to medium production runs. The 6,900-square-foot facility contains modern production and inspection equipment. Model Products focuses on achieving on-time delivery and producing parts with zero defects.
#7. Pacific Swiss & Mfg., Inc. – Clackamas, OR
Pacific Swiss provides CNC Swiss turning and micro-machining services for several industries. The company supports clients in the medical, aerospace, defense, and electronics sectors. It manufactures precision parts with diameters ranging from .010 inches to 1-1/4 inches.
They’re ISO 9001:2015 certified, AS9100 compliant, and ITAR registered. It machines a range of materials from alloy steels and aluminum to engineered plastics like PEEK and Delrin. Pacific Swiss also provides inventory programs, including KANBAN, JIT, and dock-to-stock delivery.
#8. Shamrock Precision – Dallas, Texas
Shamrock Precision offers high-precision Swiss machining services for complex components. The company manufactures critical fasteners and small-diameter components for the aerospace, oil and gas, and energy industries. They can work with a range of exotic materials, including Inconel, Monel, and titanium alloys.
The shop is equipped with advanced multi-axis CNC Swiss lathes from Citizen, Tsugami, and Nomura. Its quality systems are certified to ISO 9001 and AS9100 standards. Shamrock Precision also provides management for secondary operations like heat treating and surface treatments.
#9. MSM Machine Works – Houston, TX
MSM Machine Works is a machine shop in Houston, Texas, that specializes in Swiss turning. The company provides services for industries that require exceptional precision, such as medical and aerospace. Its facility is equipped with modern Swiss turning technology to handle both small-batch jobs and large-scale production.
The shop machines a variety of materials, from aluminum and stainless steel to high-performance alloys like titanium. Each machined part undergoes a thorough inspection using metrology tools to confirm its dimensions and quality. The company’s team of machinists works with clients to provide custom solutions that meet specific project demands.
#10. GAM Swiss Turning – Sunrise, FL
Gam Swiss Turning, Inc. is a certified CNC machine shop that provides custom Swiss turning and milling services. The company handles projects ranging from single prototypes to both short and long production runs. It can manufacture parts from existing client specifications or create custom designs as needed.
The company is certified to both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 quality standards. These certifications ensure its processes meet the requirements for a wide variety of industries. Gam Swiss Turning produces high-quality components for numerous industrial applications.
Partner With King Precision for Precision Swiss Turning
At King Precision, our highly experienced team is prepared to review your specific project requirements. Contact us to begin the quoting process for your components. We will provide a detailed and timely response for your consideration.