Machining long, slender parts with precision

One of the strengths of our new Hanwha CNC Swiss is its ability to produce parts that are long, slender, complex—and still require tight dimensional control.

A recent example is this 9-inch-long stainless steel shaft, featuring a threaded end and a hex on the opposite end. The finished part is extremely slender, with a tolerance of ±0.001″.

Why are long, slender parts challenging to machine?

As a part gets longer and thinner, it becomes increasingly susceptible to deflection and vibration during machining. Cutting forces that might have little effect on a short, rigid component can cause significant movement in a slender part.

That can make it difficult to maintain consistent dimensions and surface finish from one end of the part to the other. Features such as threading and hexes add another level of complexity because they require precise control while maintaining the overall geometry of the part.

Here’s where the Hanwha Swiss makes a difference

Our new Hanwha CNC Swiss is designed for exactly these kinds of machining challenges.

With the Swiss-style design, the material is supported close to the cutting area as the part is machined. This helps minimize deflection and vibration, allowing us to maintain accuracy even when producing long, slender components.

It also gives us the flexibility to combine multiple complex features in a single machining process, while delivering the precision and repeatability required for production work.

This 9-inch stainless steel shaft is a great example of the capabilities we’ve added to our shop with the Hanwha. It allows us to take on long, slender and complex components that can be challenging to produce on conventional turning equipment.

For us, it’s another way to expand the range of parts we can manufacture while maintaining the quality and consistency our customers expect.