Specialist fastener manufacturer and stockist, Non Standard Socket Screw (NSSS) has put in four Citizen CNC sliding head turn-mill centres to maintain its competitive position.
The new machines not only increase productivity through additional ‘lights-out’ operation, but also give improvements to quality and most important, consistency of production, especially in more difficult to machine materials.
The most recent £400k investment in a Cincom L20-VIII and a smaller capacity L12-VII follows the installation of Citizen Cincom L32-VIII and L20-VIII machines earlier this year.
Marketing Director Melvin White said: “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.”
The company also recently installed a close temperature endothermic atmosphere computer controlled heat treatment facility.
Mr White says that lights out techniques contribute to the firm’s improved levels of productivity.
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.
These are produced from a wide range of materials including alloy, stainless steels and higher strength duplex. Parts are produced from up to 32 mm diameter bar on the Citizen Cincom machines with additional turning capacity available up to 64 mm diameter as well as operating five two-blow hot forge presses.
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