Chinese lathes and machining centres shown

The first showing of Chinese-built Dalian machine tools at EMO 2007 will include conventional lathes, flat bed CNC lathes, slant bed CNC lathes and vertical and horizontal machining centres.

In a collaboration between 600 Group and DMTG (Dalian Machine Tool Group) there will be the first showing at EMO of Dalian Sales conventional lathes, flat bed CNC lathes, slant bed CNC lathes and vertical and horizontal machining centres (VMC and HMC) on a a 1090m2 stand.

The 600 Group has designed and managed the production of the Dalian Sales machine tools.

EMO is the chosen venue for the launch of the new venture because, says Group Marketing director Dr Stephen Le Beau, "It is the most significant machine tool show in Europe, and is the opportunity to showcase the Dalian machines we are selling to both Western and Eastern European markets".

"This is the biggest single stand a Chinese manufacturer has ever had at a Western show, and is calculated to indicate the level of impact we intend to have in these markets".

The 600 Group undertakes the Dalian Sales operation in conjunction with DMTG, claimed to be the eighth largest machine tool manufacturer in the world, to market the full range of Dalian machines in Eastern Europe, Germany and the UK.

The operation is centred on Parat Werkzeugmaschinen in Germany and 600 Centre in the UK, both of which are wholly owned by 600 Group.

The two companies will be the technical and marketing focus of the operation.

Each will provide service, spares and application support for the Dalian machines and will manage the marketing operation.

Independent distributors will sell the machines throughout designated territories, taking their lead from the 600 Group companies.

Additional sales, service and application engineers are already being employed, answering to senior managers dedicated to the promotion and development of the Dalian range of machines.

The stand itself is an imposing presence at the show, straddling the aisle in Hall 13.

A full range of Dalian machines will be on show, including examples of conventional lathes, flat bed CNC lathes, slant bed CNC lathes, VMCs, and HMCs.

In addition, part of the stand will be dedicated to Zimmerman, a German-based manufacturer of gantry milling machines and wholly owned by DMTG.

The Dalian Golden Components range of CNCs, ballscrews, linear guideways, toolchangers and turrets will also be on display on the stand.

The machines being shown are the first DMTG machines to be badged Dalians.

Initially DMTG designed and manufactured for its domestic market.

Having decided to seek market opportunities outside its own borders, it recognised the need for a Western partner to introduce additional features to its range and expert marketing techniques.

It selected 600 Group, a well recognised and reputable machine tool Group with an established, successful distribution network throughout the world and an enviable history of solid, innovative machine tool engineering.

The Dalian branded machines are the result of this collaboration.

Based on the robust and carefully engineered first generation Dalian machines, 600 Group has assisted DMTG to introduce Western-style engineering to the range, for example higher quality standards, additional health and safety features to meet European standards (for instance additional guarding, spindle braking, interlocking), modified electronics and greater machine accuracies.

In addition, the ergonomics and aesthetics of the machines have been adjusted to be suitable for European manufacturing.

The Dalian machines are built to DMTG's design and remain the intellectual property of DMTG, but have benefited from a 'huge commitment from 600 Group', for instance eight senior 600 Group engineers have spent substantial periods of time at DMTG's factory working to achieve CE testing and compliance.

All machines have the 600 Group Four Star Assurance: specification, CE compliance, Quality and After Sales.

Dr Lebeau said: "Dalian Sales combines the strengths of two prominent companies, the manufacturing facilities and low overhead costs of DMTG and the sales, marketing and engineering prowess of 600 Group.

Together, we are able to bring to the market relatively low priced, highly engineered, quality machine tools which will enable Western manufacturing to remain competitive and profitable".

* Parat Werkzeugmaschinen, Dalian Sales and the 600 Group at EMO 2007, Hannover, Germany, September 17-22, Hall 17, Stand A08.

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