First Exceptional Steps For The Tornos SwissNano

3 September 2013

The new SwissNano machine has now been unveiled for the first time at the recent Tornos open day event in Moutier, Switzerland. Discussing this product launch exhibition, Tornos Marketing Manager, Mr Brice Renggli says: "It was an exceptional success. We welcomed 340 visitors - a 30% increase on the previous year and we sold 25 machines in a week."

A breath of fresh air
To find another such example of customer enthusiasm for a machine manufactured in Moutier by Tornos, we need to go back 17 years to the launch of the famous Deco 2000 7/10mm capacity machines.

One of the major developments made by the SwissNano team was to approach the design as a real means of differentiating the product and adding value. In the words of Mr. Renggli: "One year ago, if someone had spoken to me about creating machines in all different colours, like a coffee machine, I would've replied that this crazy idea that would never become a reality. And yet one year later, the machines are available and everyone is talking about them".

And while not all customers are necessarily aware that they can buy it in a range of colours, they have all noticed the new lease of life and breath of fresh air these machines have brought to the conventional world of bar turning. After all, the bar turning profession really does need a bit of fun and joy to encourage young people to start training in this field.

An acclaimed design
While the design has caused a stir, this has also been due to the practical aspects involved. The customers were unanimous: The 180° access to the machining area, the easy to remove ‘crash helmet’ protection, the control on a mobile arm and the wireless tablet won a clean sweep of the plaudits. Developed with a very strict set of specifications dedicated to watchmaking, the machine appealed to those working in this domain. The capacities of the machine, like the number of tools and the various devices available, were deemed perfectly adapted to the field. Mr Renggli explained: "The kinematics with the two independent plattens allow simultaneous blanking and finishing operations, whilst the hobbing unit was also particularly well received." Customers were also impressed by the high level of precision offered by the machine.

Although designed to complement cam-type machines and not to replace them, the SwissNano has a very small footprint that allows customers to make a 1:1 replacement in a workshop. Mr Renggli summed up what a bar-turner who only uses cam-type machines said to him: "The manager of a small company that only has cam-type machines admitted to us that, for the first time ever on the market, there was a machine that could fit in his workshop and that he was ready to buy to try it out".

And the tablet?
All the machines sold during the exhibition have an integrated PC that allows a connection to the tablet, enabling production to be monitored. "Our customers could see beyond the gadget appeal. Having the latest versions of the service instructions directly on the tablet was highly appreciated. Being able to have an integrated PC also brings a wide range of additional possibilities, such as managing stock of parts on the machine, for example," explained Mr Renggli. Customers also liked being able to customise the Fanuc control screens. Developed using the ‘Android’ operating system, these pages are very intuitive and user-friendly.

Tornos store
The company has set up a virtual store for downloading applications for the tablet. Mr Renggli explained: "With a tablet running an Android system, customers can download a free application that allows them to have a system for keeping service instructions continuously up-to-date, communicating news to them and giving them access to the Forum." However, access to this is restricted to SwissNano customers.

Coming soon
While 23 of the sold machines are black, customers also chose a yellow machine and a pink machine during the open days. The SwissNano machine will be on display during the forthcoming EMO exhibition in Hall 17, Stand B04.