Material Selection

When it comes to CNC Swiss screw machine parts, choosing the right materials is crucial to ensure optimal performance, precision, and manufacturability and to avoid unnecessary costs. Factors such as part complexity, tolerance requirements, environmental conditions, and cost must be considered when choosing materials for your precision machined components.  In addition to these factors, designers should consider the availability and machining characteristics of specified alloys.  Swissturn’s engineers can provide advice on material selection. Still, it is crucial to consult with experts or material suppliers to ensure the chosen material meets the specific requirements of the intended application. Additionally, various surface treatments, coatings, and heat treatments can be applied further to enhance the performance and longevity of the parts.

While the final selection is your designers’ responsibility, we can advise you on how your material choices affect your design needs and our machine cycle times, tool wear, cost, and availability.

Here are some of the top materials commonly used for CNC Swiss screw machine parts:

  • Stainless Steel: Stainless Steel is the desired material choice where corrosion resistance is required.  Swissturn manufactures components from a variety of stainless steel alloys that are used in devices, both medical and dental, military, aerospace, photonics, valve applications and laboratory instruments. Stainless steel eliminates the need for plating for corrosion resistance.
  • Aluminum: Aluminum is a lightweight material known for its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, high strength-to-weight ratio.  Corrosion resistance is improved with the addition of an anodize process. It is commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics.
  • Copper Alloys: Brass (C360) is valued for its excellent machinability and corrosion resistance. It is commonly used in applications that require good electrical conductivity, such as electrical connectors, terminals, and fittings.  Other copper alloys that are commonly used for precision machined CNC Swiss parts are Tellurium Copper 145, along with straight copper alloys 101  and 110.  Alloy 544 is also a popular phosphorus bronze utilized here at Swissturn.
  • Carbon Steel: Steel is available in many grades and the choice of alloy  can drastically affect the properties of your precision machined components. Do you need your components to be hard all the way through or just on the surface?  Are you going to plate your parts?  Do you need a surface that is wear resistant?  Is it okay if your components contain lead?  All of these and many others become part of the decision-making process in choosing the correct steel.  Common alloys machined at Swissturn include 1018, 1117, 1144, 12L14, 1215, 4140, and 41L40.
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Swiss Machining Miscellaneous Components
  • Nickel Alloys: Nickel alloys are commonly used where extreme corrosion resistance, strength, and structural integrity are required. Their finish characteristics and strength make nickel a material chosen for aircraft engine components, high-temperature applications, and vacuum applications.
  • Plastics: Certain engineering plastics, such as acetal, Delrin, nylon, polycarbonate, and PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), are suitable for CNC Swiss screw machine parts. These materials offer excellent dimensional stability, low friction, and resistance to chemicals and wear. They find applications in industries ranging from electronics to medical devices.
  • Silver: Swissturn has years of experience machining silver bar stock to make electrical connectors and jewelry parts.  We have machined Sterling Silver (92.5%) and Fine Silver (99.9%).
  • Titanium: Titanium is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant material with an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. It is widely used in high-performance applications where strength, durability, and biocompatibility are essential, such as aerospace components and medical implants.