UK subcontractors order 20 CNC sliding head autos

During February and March, Star Micronics GB took orders from contract machinists for 20 of its CNC sliding-headstock mill/turn centres, signalling strong UK market conditions.

During February and March, Star Micronics GB took orders from contract machinists for 20 of its sliding-headstock mill/turn centres, signalling strong market conditions just at the right time - in the run-up to MACH 2006.

Half of the eight machines sold in February were for the new Star SR-10J, which is not even due for national launch in the UK launch until the show.

"Customers got wind of this new, blisteringly fast 10 mm machine from pre-show publicity and word of mouth, and did not want to wait until MACH to invest," enthused Bob Hunt, managing director.

Two firms that bought machines in February were new Star customers, as were three of the companies that ordered in March.

Notable was that lathe size was spread across the full Star range, from entry-level through to the top-specification, 11-axis, 32mm bar automatic, ECAS-32T.

The latter, twin-turret lathe, which has an installed weight of six tonnes - twice that of its nearest rival - will be fitted with high-pressure coolant at MACH and will show angle drilling, thread rolling and many other features as part of a suite of high-technology demonstrations.

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