Sliding Head CNC Machining

Tullamed employs sliding head machining, also known as Swiss-type machining or sliding headstock machining, as a highly precise and efficient manufacturing process used to produce small, complex parts, typically with tight tolerances.

It’s widely employed in industries like aerospace, medical, automotive, and electronics for components such as screws, pins, connectors, and implants.

How It Works

Sliding head machining uses a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) lathe with a sliding headstock. Unlike traditional fixed-head lathes, where the workpiece is stationary and the tools move, in sliding head machining, the workpiece (usually a bar of material) is fed through a guide bushing and moves longitudinally (along the Z-axis) while the cutting tools remain relatively stationary or move in coordination.

This setup provides several advantages:

1. Guide Bushing Support. The guide bushing supports the material very close to the cutting tool, minimizing deflection and vibration. This is especially useful for long, slender parts with high length-to-diameter ratios (e.g., 10:1 or more).

2. Simultaneous Operations. Many sliding head machines are equipped with multiple tools, including live tooling (rotating tools for milling or drilling), allowing for simultaneous machining operations on different sections of the part. This reduces cycle times.

3. Bar Feeding. The process uses bar stock fed automatically through the machine, enabling continuous production without manual intervention for each part.

Key Features

Precision

Tolerances as tight as ±0.001 mm (1 micron) are achievable due to the rigidity provided by the guide bushing.

Small Parts Expertise

Ideal for parts with diameters ranging from 0.5 mm to 38 mm (depending on the machine), though some advanced models can handle slightly larger sizes.

Complexity

Capable of producing intricate geometries, including threads, cross-holes, and milled features, in a single setup.

Materials

We work with a variety of materials, such as stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, brass, and plastics such as PEEK.

Advantages

High Productivity

The ability to perform multiple operations at once and the continuous bar-feeding mechanism make it faster than traditional machining for suitable parts.

Reduced Waste

Bar stock is used efficiently, with minimal material loss.

Consistency

Ideal for high-volume production runs with repeatable accuracy.

Applications

Typical Applications

Medical sector – Surgical screws, dental implants, and orthopedic pins, middle ear implants, gold connectors are supplied.
Electronics – Connectors, terminals, and small housings.
Watchmaking – Tiny gears, shafts, and screws.
Automotive – Fuel injector components, sensor parts.