Swiss-type automatic lathes (sliding headstock automatic lathes) are precision machines. They can produce small parts quickly and accurately. In Swiss-type automatic lathes, some equipment are used to hold or support the workpiece. Swiss type automatic lathes similar to conventional lathes. Conventional lathes generally use three-jaw chucks.
Unlike conventional lathes, swiss-type automatic lathes have different workpiece clamping equipment. Two types of workpieces clamping equipment are used to hold or support the workpiece.
Figure 2. Workpieces clamping equipment
Collet is a cylindrical sleeve. Collets are hold the workpiece securely specific workpiece diameter. Dead-length collets are used in swiss-type automatic lathes due to high position accuracy. A typical standard dead length collet and long nose collet are shown in Figure 3a and Figure 3b, respectively.
Figure 3. Collets a) A standard dead length collet b) A long nose collet
Another equipment used in swiss-type automatic lathes is guide bushes. Guide bushes precisely support the workpiece. In some applications, only collets can be used for machining, depending on the machining requirements.
Figure 4. A typical guide bush