Citizen Machinery UK’s stand at the MACH exhibition drew substantial interest, with 538 manufacturing companies making inquiries over the five-day event, requiring further action.
Pictured from left to right: John Barrett, director of Southfields Engineering; Tony Nolloth, UK & Ireland sales manager at Citizen Machinery UK; Russell Sullivan, director of Southfields Engineering; and Neil Vine, sales engineer at Citizen Machinery UK.
The heightened visitor interest was largely due to Citizen’s decision to delay a 5% price increase on its Cincom sliding-head and Miyano fixed-head lathes until after the show. This strategy resulted in 29 orders valued at nearly £5 million, placed during or immediately following the event.
All nine exhibited machines, ranging in bar capacity from 12 mm to 80 mm, were operational. Five of these machines produced parts that visitors could assemble into a giveaway component. The Miyano BNE-65MYY, which utilized Citizen’s superimposed machining to create a complex part in about 2.5 minutes, was particularly noteworthy.
Another highlight was the robotic automation on a Miyano BNA-42SY5, and the Cincom L32-XLFV, which demonstrated the company’s LFV (Low Frequency Vibration) chip breaking technology by cutting plastic, attracted significant attention.
Post-MACH, Citizen Machinery UK is already gearing up for its annual open house in October, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Richhill-based subcontractor Rosco Engineering quickly placed an order for a Cincom L20-XIIB5LFV sliding-head lathe on the event’s first day. This new machine is expected to enhance productivity significantly, especially in the production of hydraulic parts, which comprise 15% of the company’s turnover. The L20 lathe is anticipated to halve the cycle time for a stainless steel part from four minutes to two, doubling productivity.
James Scott, general manager of Rosco Engineering, noted, “The new slider will not only boost productivity but also save an extra shift, adding financial benefits. Citizen’s LFV function and high-pressure coolant system will aid in chip breaking and ensure uninterrupted production, extending tool life significantly.”
The L20, though nominally a 20 mm bar capacity machine, can accommodate stock up to 25.4 mm in diameter, enhancing its versatility. It also features additional toolholders and a swiveling B-axis tool carrier for angled cross-working or end-facing operations.
Rosco Engineering operates seven Citizen lathes, including three from the fixed-head Miyano range, which have significantly improved production times for various parts.
Southfields Engineering, based in Billericay, also placed an order for an L20-VIIILFV sliding-head lathe at MACH. The company, which has been a Cincom customer since 2011, aimed to replace an older A20 sliding-head lathe with a modern model offering higher productivity.
Russell Sullivan, director of Southfields Engineering, remarked, “The A20 transformed our production processes. The new L20 will further boost productivity, quickly amortizing the capital cost.”
Co-director John Barrett added, “Our new L20, like our other recent investments, is expected to pay for itself swiftly. The Miyano BNE-65MYY, which replaced an older model, is already 30% more productive.”
Southfields Engineering processes a wide range of materials, including steels, titanium, nickel alloys, and plastics, serving sectors such as medical, lighting, and catering. The LFV chip breaking technology in the latest Cincoms enhances production efficiency, minimizing downtime for swarf clearance and supporting consistent, long-term unattended operation.
The MACH exhibition has once again proven to be a significant platform for Citizen Machinery UK, fostering substantial business growth and innovation in the metalworking industry.
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