Get quotes for custom Swiss machined parts
Small-diameter, slender, high-precision turned parts run in volume on sliding-headstock (Swiss) lathes. A guide bushing supports the bar right at the tool, so long thin parts hold size without deflecting. Upload your drawing and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
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How OpenSpindle works
We tap our partner network. You get the best-match quote.
Upload your part and we tap our network of partner shops to get you a competitive, all-in quote that is the best match for the job.
One upload
A CAD file or a sketch. That is the whole ask on your end.
Your best-match quote
Sourced from the partner shops set up for your exact part.
All-in, on your timeline
Machining, finishing, and shipping detailed to your turnaround.
Bar stock our Swiss shops run
Swiss work starts from small-diameter round bar. Free-machining alloys run fastest; common choices are below, and if yours is not here, ask when you request a quote.
Specs
Tolerances you can expect
| Feature | With a drawing | No drawing supplied |
|---|---|---|
| Turned diameter | ±0.0002 to ±0.0005 in | ISO 2768 Fine |
| Length / feature position | ±0.002 in | ISO 2768 Medium |
| Concentricity (OD to OD) | 0.0005 in TIR | As-run |
| Surface finish | 16-32 Ra | 32 Ra as-turned |
The guide bushing supports the bar at the cut, so small diameters hold tenths on a Swiss lathe that a conventional lathe cannot. Call out the critical diameter and any concentricity requirement and the shop confirms before running.
Design rules
How to design for Swiss Machining
Swiss lathes use a guide bushing to hold the bar right at the cut, which is why they excel at small, long, precise parts.
| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Min diameter | down to ~0.020 in (0.5 mm) | The guide bushing supports tiny turned parts a standard lathe cannot. |
| Max length-to-diameter | very high | The bushing supports long slender parts against deflection. |
| Min feature size | ~0.010 in | Live tooling adds small cross-holes, flats, and slots. |
| Tolerances | to +/- 0.0002 in | Swiss holds tighter than standard turning. |
| Best economics | higher volume | Setup favors runs, not one-off parts. |
Typical starting points; a shop confirms against your part and volume.
Reference
Related reference charts
Free spec + tolerance charts for designing these parts.
Secondary operations
Inserts, hardware and finishing
Threads and inserts
Single-point and thread-rolled threads, cross-holes, flats, slots, and knurls cut with live tooling in the same setup, so most small parts finish complete off the machine.
Finishing
Applied after turning. As-turned ships fastest; passivation, anodize, and plating are common on small turned metal parts.
| Finish | Materials | Adds | Can be applied with |
|---|---|---|---|
| As-turned | All | +0 days | Anything |
| Passivation | Stainless only | +2 days | Bead blast |
| Anodize | Aluminum, titanium | +3-5 days | Bead blast |
| Zinc / nickel plating | Steel | +3-5 days | Passivation not needed |
Plating adds thickness that can push a tenths-level diameter or thread out of spec. Tell the shop the finish so they cut for the final size.
Process comparison
Swiss machining vs other processes
When another process fits better than a Swiss lathe.
| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over Swiss Machining when |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Larger round parts, lower volume | Prototype to production | Parts are larger diameter or not needed in high volume. |
| CNC Machining | Prismatic milled parts | Prototype to production | The part is not primarily a turned part. |
Get a better quote
Getting a quote that comes back fast
| Instead of | Send this |
|---|---|
| "Small turned pin, need a quote" | "C360 brass pin, ⌀0.062 x 0.75 in, ±0.0003 on the OD, qty 5,000" |
| "Threaded contact" | "303 stainless contact, 0-80 UNF rolled thread, cross-hole ⌀0.020 per drawing" |
| "Needs to be concentric" | "0.0005 in TIR between the two journals, as-turned elsewhere" |
Swiss pricing is driven by cycle time and volume. Give the critical diameter, its tolerance, and the quantity; that is what shops need to quote.
Applications
Industries we serve
Swiss shops on OpenSpindle produce pins, contacts, shafts, fasteners, and implantable-grade components in volume, including ISO 13485, AS9100, and ITAR-registered shops.
More on OpenSpindle
Need a different process?
Get a quote for these capabilities too.
Designing for this process
What actually changes your quote
Not a definition of Swiss machining. The design choices that move your price and lead time.
Volume is where Swiss pays off
Setup and guide-bushing tooling cost the same whether you run 50 or 50,000. The per-part price drops fast with quantity, so batch parts and forecast runs rather than ordering in dribs.
One critical diameter, not five
Every tenths-level OD needs its own tool pass and inspection. Tolerance the diameter that mates a bearing or bore and leave the rest at a standard turned tolerance.
Match stock to the largest diameter
The bar has to feed the biggest OD on the part, then everything else is turned down. A large flange on a slender part means a lot of material cut to chips; simplify the profile where you can.
Live-tool features avoid a second setup
Cross-holes, flats, and threads done on the Swiss in one cycle are far cheaper than sending the part to a mill afterward. Design features the machine can reach and it finishes complete.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Swiss machining runs bar stock through a sliding headstock and a guide bushing that supports the material right where the tool cuts. Because the bar is held close to the tool, long and slender parts do not deflect, so small diameters hold very tight tolerances at high volume.
Get Swiss machining quotes
Upload a drawing and we'll source quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.
STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more
Uploads are secure & confidential