Swiss-Type CNC Turned Stainless Steel Micro Pins

In Swiss-type style turning, the bar moves through a guide bushing while the tool stays close to the support point. That keeps deflection low on long, thin parts that would whip on a conventional lathe. Front and back operations, cross drilling and slotting are done before cut-off, so parts drop complete. Bar feeders allow long unattended runs, which keeps unit costs down on volume orders.

303 stainless contains sulfur for better chip breaking and is the easiest grade to Swiss-turn; it has slightly lower corrosion resistance. 304 and 316 are tougher to machine but better for wet or body-contact environments. 17-4PH can be precipitation hardened after machining for high strength. Pins are usually passivated, and can be polished or electropolished for smoother surfaces.

Diameters are checked with micrometers or laser micrometers, lengths with height gauges, and small features on optical comparators. Critical dimensions are 100% inspected, and material certificates are available. Typical uses include hinge pins for precision instruments and optics, sensor probes, medical device shafts, connector pins, watch components and small gear arbors.