Full-on fastener production with sliding head turn-mills

For its specialist fastener operation, the company’s philosophy is to increase competitiveness by implementing further lights out production while also achieving improvements in quality. This is especially the case with more difficult to machine materials.

To help achieve this goal, in 2017 NSSS ordered four CNC sliding head turn-mill centres worth £400,000 from Citizen Machinery UK. These machines are in addition to two existing Citizen Cincom installations in its recently extended 8,000ft² production area at its 30,000ft² Hockley facility.

The two Citizen Cincom installations of an L32-VIII and L20-VIII have been an operational success and are now in full production. This has led to the order of a further Cincom L20-VIII machine plus a smaller capacity L12-VII.

Marketing director Melvin White comments: “We are in a very competitive market and it is important to maintain our production capability for both UK and overseas customers. We are a modern business that is driving the use of automation and the latest manufacturing technologies to continually improve quality and output.”

Mr White went on to describe how the company’s recent installation of a close temperature endothermic atmosphere computer controlled heat treatment facility and it lights-out operations have contributed to the firm’s improved levels of productivity.

“Our market demands consistency of production over longer periods which is being achieved with these latest installations.”

Since its foundation in 1971, NSSS has developed a fully self-contained fastener manufacturing operation that employs 90 people. In addition to its stockist business, the company produces a wide range of special fasteners including prototypes for customers which range in size from M1.4. up to M64.

These are produced from a wide range of materials including alloy, stainless steels and higher strength duplex. Parts are produced from up to 32mm diameter bar on the Citizen Cincom machines with additional turning capacity available up to 64mm diameter as well as operating five two-blow hot forge presses.

Citizen Machinery UK www.citizenmachinery.co.uk