Big boost for small components
The new Citizen L20 is the fourth of its type in DPC’s portfolio
North West subcontractor Dawson Precision Components (DPC) has increased its capacity by purchasing a new Citizen sliding head lathe, following a 50% increase in orders during March and April.
The Citizen L20 expands DPC’s range of sliding head lathes which are used for large batches parts from below 32mm. This will help it promptly deliver contracts for clients such as Surgical Innovations which requires extremely high precision parts – some as small as 0.8mm in diameter – for its innovative devices for minimally invasive surgery.
Finance director, Julie Hughes said: “We’ve never had such a healthy order book. We suddenly found ourselves with commitments for several weeks in advance, and one contract which will use one of our machines for a large part of the next year. Our business is based on being able to turn around high quality precision parts to tight timescales, so we took the decision to invest in the new L20 to ensure we can maintain this level of service for new and existing clients.”
The new L20 is the fourth of its type DPC’s portfolio, which also boasts two B12s, an A32 and an M32. The latest version - the L20 VIII – is now the most advanced sliding head lathe on the shop floor. It offers improved capabilities including increased end-drilling and cross-drilling tools, as well as increased driven tool power, rigidity and tool flexibility.
The L20 series are favoured by DPC because they have extremely short setup times and allow for parts to be created to complex specifications in a single run. This allows DPC to quickly create large batches of complex parts that require accurate turning and milling of a small bar. It offers short cycle times and, once programmed, can be left overnight to complete a batch of parts, allowing for quick turnaround times without risk of inaccuracies.
Ms Hughes is confident that this substantial investment is the right move for the business. “For the past 18 months a lot of organisations have been running down supplies and not placing new orders. It now seems that things are looking up and companies have the confidence to place larger orders, whilst at the same time supplies are starting to need replenishing. Fortunately we’ve maintained staff levels over the slower months by carrying out smaller jobs, which were less profitable but maintained our strong relationship and kept a high level of expertise in the company. We’re now well placed to take advantage of this sudden upsurge, so much so that we’re expanding our capacity.”
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