Swiss-style Collets and Bushings Production Cell

Hardinge announces the expansion of its Swiss-style collets and bushings production cell. Over the past several years, CNC Swiss-type lathes, predominant in medical and electronics applications, have become increasingly popular across a variety of other applications. Swiss-type lathes are able to produce complex, high accuracy finished parts with short lead times due to their shorter cycle times and are very effective for any application that produces long, slender parts due to the process of feeding the stock through a guide bushing. Hardinge workholding is meeting these increasing needs by expanding its Swiss product line to include the following products:

•   Carbide lined extended nose collets
•   Overgrip collets for all manufacturers
•   Bar loader collets
•   ER collets
•   Meehanite guide bushings
•   Adaptive guide bushings

In addition, Hardinge has continuously improved its manufacturing capabilities over the past year with advanced technologies. The company recently added a lapping machine to improve surface finishes, a new USACH grinder to improve accuracy and consistency, and additional equipment to increase capacity. Because of its focus on continuous improvement, Hardinge has achieved quicker delivery times by holding more inventory, improving manufacturing processes, and converting key product lines to be considered stocked items.

The company’s expanded product lines and improvements have led to double digit year over year growth for Hardinge’s Swiss workholding products, with sales up over 21 percent in 2017 and on pace for another growth year in 2018.

“Hardinge is one of the only companies that can meet the growing needs of job shops in industries such as medical and aerospace that need to manufacture high precision small parts," said Rick Schonher, product manager for Hardinge Workholding Division. "Our Swiss-style high quality collets meet these requirements, providing a consistent quality at a competitive price.”