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MACHINING: Low cost, high specification.

Article Excerpt
With budgets currently under close scrutiny, a raft of new entry level sliding head automatic lathes have emerged to help underpin investment levels. By Steed Webzell

For machine tool manufacturers renowned for high specification, high functionality equipment, appealing to the entry level market isn't always high on the list of priorities. However, with the current challenging economic environment, keenly priced machines featuring stripped down yet entirely functional and efficient technology, represent a sales area less affected than many others.

Sliding head automatic lathe technology is no different, and most of the leading vendors have responded to the tough financial climate by introducing new entry level machines over the course of the past 6-12 months. One such model is the SB-16E from Star Micronics. The SB-16E is aimed at first time entrants to CNC sliding head turning, although it is also suitable for existing users that need a cost effective machine to produce relatively small diameter, medium complexity parts.

'If an OEM or subcontractor in the electronics or dental instrument sector, for example, knows that it is never going to machine components over 16mm diameter, this early entry model could be a cost effective solution,' says Bob Hunt, managing director of Star's UK and Eire subsidiary. 'The SB-16 is perfect for those types of user, as well as any company where capital investment...

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