Direct Engineering, a subcontractor in Countesthorpe, a few miles south of Leicester, placed an order during MACH 2010 for its first sliding head lathe – a 7-axis CNC Star SR-32J.
“Cutting trials on some of our steel components up to 32mm diameter showed a halving of cycle times compared with our fixed head, single spindle mill/turning centres,” observed managing director, Robert Suffolk.
He explained that his company produces parts for Caterpillar in high volumes, such as spacers and threaded rods, some of which are produced externally by sliding head specialists. Bringing the work in-house will save on subcontract machining costs and give Direct Engineering better control over quality and delivery times.
Asked why he chose a Star slider in preference to other makes, Mr Suffolk pointed to discussions with a number of UK users of the lathes. He said: “There were no bad comments about Star with regard to the performance of the machines, and back-up was considered reliable by everyone we spoke to.”
The order from Direct Engineering was one of four, valued at more than £400,000, taken on the Star GB stand during the show. Star GB's managing director Bob Hunt commented: “This was a pleasing result considering the continued economic uncertainty, although I have to admit that we were hoping for a higher number.
“There were, however, a high number of positive enquiries that our sales engineers can target during the summer months and through to the year end.
Following the world premiere at MACH 2010 of the 12-axis CNC ST-38 for machining parts up to a nominal diameter of 38 mm – the previous maximum bar diameter having been 32 mm – the range of sliding head applications is set to increase further.
Mr Hunt remarked that visitors to the stand – Star's biggest ever at MACH – were quick to realise that with up to 60 cutters in the working area, the machine can attack unproductive time by minimising or even eliminating the need for tool changes between batches.
Star GB
www.stargb.com
